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Want to feel better and live longer? A new study has found that switching to a plant-based diet could help improve life expectancy for people with cardiometabolic conditions like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
What if there were a simple and accessible solution to help people with heart disease, obesity, and diabetes live longer, happier and healthier lives? Recent research presented during the American College of Cardiology’s annual conference, ACC.25, suggests that a balanced plant-based diet and lifestyle could be just the ticket.
The findings are yet another reason to pile more fruits and veggies on your plate – and the latest in a rising tide of evidence showcasing how powerful plant-based eating can be for managing chronic health conditions and long-term wellbeing.
Ready to find out how a plant-based diet can extend your lifespan? Here are the key learnings.
A healthy plant-based diet can help people with diabetes, obesity, and heart disease live longer
The extensive study, which assessed data from more than 78,000 people with cardiometabolic conditions across the UK, USA, and China, revealed yet another benefit of veg-forward eating – a significant boost to longevity.
Results showed that following a healthy plant-based diet (with meals centring on nutrient-rich vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes) is associated with a 17-24% lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease, cancer, or any cause.
A healthful plant-based diet may reduce mortality in individuals with cardiometabolic disorders, mainly through the potential beneficial effects of nutrients in plant-based foods.
Zhangling Chen, MD, PhD, lead author of the study
Chen notes that plant-based foods are rich in dietary fibre, healthy fats, plant protein, antioxidants, phytoestrogens, vitamins like vitamin E and folate, and minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium – a powerhouse line-up of nutrients to fuel better health on every level.
Diet plays a powerful role in improving cardiometabolic health outcomes and quality of life
This study is the latest in an ever-growing body of evidence showing that nutrient-dense, minimally processed plant foods can help support long-term health and reduce overall mortality.
Past studies have shown that eliminating animal products in favour of a low-fat vegan diet could help improve insulin sensitivity, reduce insulin needs, and promote better cardiac health in people with Type 1 diabetes.
“Consuming fibre-rich whole grains and legumes helps regulate blood sugar, while healthy fats from nuts, extra virgin olive oil, and avocado oil [can] support heart health by lowering LDL and raising HDL cholesterol,” confirms Thomas M. Holland, MD, MS, a physician-scientist at the RUSH institute for Healthy Aging, who was not involved in the study.
“Additionally, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of plant-based foods can help reduce systemic inflammation, a key driver of cardiovascular disease and diabetes progression.”
Only plant-based diets rich in whole foods deliver these benefits
In contrast, diets that did not meet the requirements of a healthy plant-based diet were found to increase a person’s mortality risk by a hefty 28-36%.
“[A] diet high in refined sugars and grains, sugar-sweetened beverages, and processed plant-based foods can worsen cardiometabolic outcomes by increasing blood sugar spikes, promoting inflammation and oxidative stress, and impairing lipid metabolism, ultimately leading to a higher risk of heart disease and potentially early mortality,” Holland explains.
The bottom line? As with any way of eating, not all plant-based diets are made equal; avoiding processed foods and prioritising vibrant, fresh whole food ingredients remains the gold standard for good health 🥇🌿
Keen to prioritise your health, but not sure where to start?
Whether you have a health condition or not, the science is clear – we could all benefit from eating more delicious plant-based meals.
If getting better sleep, maintaining a healthy weight, and slowing down the aging process at a molecular level (yep, seriously!) sounds pretty good to you, we’ve got plenty of beginner’s tips to help you transition to a plant-based lifestyle.
Grab your free guide full of easy recipe ideas today, and get ready to live a little (longer) 😉 
Important note: If you have a pre-existing health condition, it’s a good idea to chat with your GP before changing your eating habits. A shift towards a plant-based diet can offer many benefits, and guidance from a healthcare professional can help you tailor it to best support your individual needs.
Check out this database of plant-friendly doctors and dietitians who can help support you on your journey to healthier eating.
Meet Liv!
Having grown up in a “meat and 3 veg” kind of household, Liv’s embarrassed to admit that she was a bit of a one-note chef until she began exploring the world of plant-based food. Vegan cooking has given her a whole new appreciation for the symphonies of flavours that simple, nourishing wholefood ingredients can create. (Even eggplant, once her greatest nemesis, is now — in a delicious, miso-glazed redemption arc — her all-time favourite veg.)