Sorry meat lovers, 20 years of research suggests plant-based is best [Video]

More than 20 years of research has shown that vegetarian and vegan diets are generally healthier than those including meat.

However, scientists caution against broad dietary recommendations given the limitations of previous studies.

Researchers involved with the new study looked at 48 papers published between January 2000 and June 2023 and analysed the data involving plant-based diets, cardiovascular health, and cancer risk.

Two decades have research have shown strong associations between plant-based diets and a healthier life. (iStock)

Their analysis showed that overall vegetarian and vegan diets have a strong association with better health status on a number of risk factors associated with cardiometabolic diseases, cancer, and mortality, such as blood pressure, management of blood sugar, and body mass index.

Such diets are associated with reduced risk of ischemic heart disease, gastrointestinal and prostate cancer, and death from cardiovascular disease.

“Our study evaluates the different impacts of animal-free diets for cardiovascular health and cancer risk showing how a …