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Plasma lipids and glycaemic indices in Australians following plant-based diets versus a meat-eating diet

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 May 2025

G. Austin
Affiliation:
School of Biomedical Sciences & Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia Food and Nutrition Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia
J. Ferguson
Affiliation:
School of Biomedical Sciences & Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia Food and Nutrition Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia School of Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
S. Eslick
Affiliation:
School of Biomedical Sciences & Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, New South Wales, Australia
C. Oldmeadow
Affiliation:
Clinical Research Design, Information Technology and Statistical Support Unit, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia
L. Wood
Affiliation:
School of Biomedical Sciences & Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
M. Garg
Affiliation:
School of Biomedical Sciences & Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, New South Wales, Australia
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Abstract

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Vegan and vegetarian dietary patterns are known to beneficially modulate risk factors for cardiovascular disease; however, the current literature does not differentiate between various plant-based diets(1). This study aimed to examine the association between various plant-based diets and plasma lipids and glycaemic indices compared to a regular meat-eating diet. A cross-sectional study of Australian adults (n = 230) aged 30–75yrs habitually consuming the following were recruited: vegan, lacto-vegetarian, pesco-vegetarian, semi-vegetarian, or regular meat-eater. Multivariable regression analyses was used to adjust for covariates. Compared to regular meat-eaters, vegans had significantly lower total cholesterol (−0.77 mmol/L, 95% CI −1.15, −0.39, p < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, −0.71 mmol/L, 95% CI −1.05, −0.38, p < 0.001), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C, −0.75 mmol/L, 95% CI −1.11, −0.39, p < 0.001), total cholesterol/HDL-C-ratio (−0.49 mmol/L, 95% CI −0.87, −0.11, p = 0.012), fasting blood glucose (FBG, −0.29 mmol/L, 95% CI −0.53, −0.06, p = 0.014), haemoglobin A1C (−1.85 mmol/mol, 95% CI −3.00, −0.71, p = 0.002) and insulin (−1.76 mU/L, 95% CI −3.26, −0.26, p = 0.021) concentrations. Semi-vegetarians had significantly lower LDL-C (−0.41 mmol/L, 95% CI −0.74, −0.08, p = 0.041) and non-HDL-C (−0.40 mmol/L, 95% CI −0.76, −0.05, p = 0.026) and lacto-ovo vegetarians had significantly lower FBG (−0.34 mmol/L, 95% CI −0.56, −0.11, p = 0.003) compared to regular meat-eaters. There were no differences in HDL-C and triglycerides between plant-based and regular-meat diets. Plasma lipaemic and glycaemic measures as a collective were more favourable among vegans, whereas among lacto-ovo vegetarians and semi-vegetarians, only some measures were favourable.

Type
Abstract
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Nutrition Society

References

Dybvik, JS, Svendsen, M & Aune, D (2023) Eur J Nutr 62(1), 5169.CrossRefGoogle Scholar