A major new study shows that people with cardiometabolic disorders—such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease—can lower their risk of dying early by following a healthy plant-based diet.
The findings were presented at the American College of Cardiology’s 2025 Annual Scientific Session (ACC.25), marking one of the first large-scale studies to focus specifically on the benefits of plant-based eating in people already diagnosed with these chronic conditions.
While previous research has shown the benefits of plant-based diets in the general population, this study is the first to focus on people with existing cardiometabolic disorders, who are already at higher risk for premature death due to heart problems, cancer, and other complications.
What the Study Found
Led by Dr. Zhangling Chen of Central South University in China, the research team analyzed data from nearly 78,000 people in the UK, US, and China. All of the participants had at least one cardiometabolic condition. The study drew from three large health databases:
- UK Biobank (55,000 adults, 2006–2022)
- US NHANES study (18,000 adults, 1999–2018)
- Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Study (4,500 adults, 2006–2018)
Researchers rated each participant’s diet based on their reported food intake using two scoring systems:
- The Healthful Plant-Based Diet Index (hPDI) gave high scores to diets rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, tea, and coffee.
- The Unhealthful Plant-Based Diet Index (uPDI) gave high scores to diets high in refined grains, potatoes, sugary drinks, and animal-based foods.
After adjusting for age, sex, physical activity, alcohol use, body weight, and other lifestyle factors, the researchers found:
- People who closely followed a healthy plant-based diet had a 17%–24% lower risk of death from any cause, cardiovascular disease, or cancer.
- Those who followed an unhealthy plant-based diet had a 28%–36% higher risk of death from any cause, cardiovascular disease, or cancer.
These results held true regardless of age, race, gender, weight, smoking status, or country. Even the much older participants in the Chinese group (average age 84) showed benefits similar to the younger UK and US groups (average ages 57 and 59, respectively).
Why It Matters
Cardiometabolic disorders are among the most common—and most dangerous—chronic health problems worldwide. They can be caused by a combination of genetics, poor diet, lack of exercise, and other lifestyle factors, and often lead to more serious diseases like heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, and cancer.
While medications can help manage these conditions, lifestyle changes—especially diet—are essential for preventing complications and improving quality of life. This study suggests that shifting toward a nutrient-rich, plant-forward diet can help people with cardiometabolic disorders live longer and healthier lives.
“Eating more healthy plant foods and fewer unhealthy plant or animal-based foods is clearly linked to lower risk of death for people with these health conditions,” said Dr. Chen.
Healthy Beverages Matter Too
In a related study using data only from NHANES (the U.S. group), the same research team found that people who followed a healthy beverage pattern—drinking more tea, coffee, and low-fat milk, and less alcohol, sugary drinks, and fruit juice—also had a lower risk of early death.
Limitations and Next Steps
The researchers acknowledged some limitations:
- The diet data were self-reported only once at the beginning, meaning they didn’t track whether participants changed their eating habits later.
- Although the study adjusted for many factors, it’s still possible that unmeasured variables (like income, cooking habits, or access to healthy food) may have influenced the results.
Still, the consistency of the findings across different countries, cultures, and age groups makes the case for a global shift toward healthier plant-based eating—not just for preventing chronic diseases, but for managing them once they appear.
Takeaway
If you’re living with heart disease, diabetes, or obesity, moving toward a healthy plant-based diet—rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and tea or coffee—could help reduce your risk of dying early from major diseases. Reducing intake of processed foods, sugary drinks, and excess animal products is equally important.
Even small dietary improvements can have meaningful health effects—and this study shows those effects apply not just to the general public, but to those already living with chronic health conditions.
If you care about nutrition, please read studies that vitamin D can help reduce inflammation, and vitamin K may lower your heart disease risk by a third.
For more information about nutrition, please see recent studies about foods that could sharp your brain, and results showing cooking food in this way may raise your risk of blindness.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
