Study Authors: López-Moreno, Miguel et al.
Abstract: https://www.nmcd-journal.com/article/S0939-4753(24)00305-3/abstract
This study examines the effects of transitioning from a traditional Mediterranean diet to a vegan Mediterranean diet on cardiorespiratory fitness and lipid profiles in healthy, physically active men.
Objective: The research aimed to assess the impact of replacing animal-based foods with plant-based alternatives in the Mediterranean diet, focusing on key health markers like lipid profiles and cardiorespiratory fitness.
Study Design:
Fourteen participants (mean age 24.6) adhered to a traditional Mediterranean diet for three weeks, followed by an isocaloric vegan Mediterranean diet for four weeks, with a seven-day washout period in between.
Traditional Mediterranean Diet (21 days):
- 50% vegetables and fruits
- 25% whole grains
- 25% animal protein
- Common elements: includes olive oil, fruits, nuts, and fish.
Vegan Mediterranean Diet (28 days):
- 50% vegetables and fruits
- 25% whole grains
- 25% plant-based protein (no animal protein)
- Focuses on plant-based sources for all nutrients.
Key Findings:
Health outcomes (Vegan Mediterranean Diet):
- Significant reductions in total cholesterol (-22.6 mg/dl) and LDL cholesterol (-12.8 mg/dl), with substantial effect sizes (1.07 and 0.72, respectively).
- Decrease in blood pressure
- Decrease in neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (inflammation marker)
- No significant changes in:
- VO₂ max (aerobic capacity)
- Body mass
- Body fat percentage
An inverse correlation was found between dietary fiber intake and LDL cholesterol (rho = -0.43, p = 0.040), indicating that the fiber from the 100% plant-based diet contributed to improved cholesterol levels. This suggests that the Vegan Mediterranean Diet may lead to improved cardiovascular markers compared to the Traditional Mediterranean Diet without negative changes in fitness or body composition.
Conclusion:
The shift to a Vegan Mediterranean diet, substituting plant-based foods for animal-based ones, led to improvements in cardiometabolic health markers, particularly cholesterol levels, in physically active and healthy men. These findings suggest additional cardiovascular benefits when further increasing plant-based food consumption within the Mediterranean diet framework.
Invitation to Register for Open Access Journal
To read other research in the field of disease reversal and prevention, we encourage you to register for the open-access journal, International Journal of Disease Reversal and Prevention. By registering, you can access full articles, stay updated on the latest research, and contribute to the growing body of knowledge in this vital area of health.
