Not all plant foods are equal for living longer
The association between overall, healthy, and unhealthy plant-based diet indexes and risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Unhealthy plant-based diets increased mortality risk by 20%, which was a stronger effect than the 14% benefit from healthy plant diets.
Most people assume any plant-based diet is good. This shows that processed plant foods may be as harmful as some animal-based diets—possibly even more so.
Practical Takeaways
Swap sugary drinks, white bread, and fried potatoes for whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts—even if you still eat meat.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Unhealthy plant-based diets increased mortality risk by 20%, which was a stronger effect than the 14% benefit from healthy plant diets.
Most people assume any plant-based diet is good. This shows that processed plant foods may be as harmful as some animal-based diets—possibly even more so.
Practical Takeaways
Swap sugary drinks, white bread, and fried potatoes for whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts—even if you still eat meat.
Publication
Journal
Food & function
Year
2025
Authors
Elahe Etesami, Ali Nikparast, Jamal Rahmani, Mitra Rezaei, M. Ghanavati
Related Content
Claims (6)
The more healthy plant foods you eat, the lower your risk of dying — and the more unhealthy plant foods you eat, the higher your risk. It’s a straight-line relationship.
People who eat more plant-based foods like vegetables, fruits, and whole grains tend to live longer than those who eat fewer of them.
A dietary pattern emphasizing whole plant foods with moderate inclusion of lean animal products provides adequate protein, fiber, phytonutrients, and healthy fats while minimizing atherogenic risk factors.
People who eat mostly healthy plant foods like whole grains, fruits, and nuts have a lower chance of dying from any cause compared to those who eat fewer of these foods.
People who eat a lot of unhealthy plant foods like sugary drinks, white bread, and fries have a higher chance of dying early than those who eat fewer of these foods.