Exploring vegetarian and omnivorous approaches to cardiovascular risk and body composition

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Abstract

The role of nutrition in preventing non-communicable diseases has been widely studied in recent years, with indications that non-animal-based diets might improve body composition and therefore bring multiple health benefits. For all of these reasons, the main purpose was to compare body composition and metabolic status between vegetarian and omnivorous individuals and relate these values with cardiovascular risk. The present analysis included 176 participants (61 vegetarians and 115 omnivores). Body composition was assessed using a dual-energy X–ray absorptiometry, biochemical parameters obtained from capillary blood, and the 10-year cardiovascular risk (10RCVD) calculated by the QRISK3 score. No statistical differences were found between groups regarding body composition. Concerning metabolic markers, vegetarian individuals showed reduced values of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and non–HDL cholesterol (p < 0.05). There were no differences in 10RCVD between groups. In both diets, moderate correlations between groups were found for cardiovascular risk and visceral adipose tissue. Our results suggest that the vegetarian regimen might be associated with better cardiometabolic biomarkers and better cardiovascular health, although controversial with the body composition trends observed. In conclusion, the results suggest that cardiovascular risk appears to be more influenced by body composition, mainly fat tissue, over dietary patterns itself.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2013
JournalNutrients
Volume16
Issue number13
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 25 Jun 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 by the authors.

Funding

This research was funded by national funds through the FCT\u2014Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P. (Portugal), under the [DOI 10.54499/UIDB/04567/2020] and [DOI 10.54499/UIDP/04567/2020] projects, and by COFAC/ILIND\u2014Cooperativa De Forma\u00E7\u00E3o e Anima\u00E7\u00E3o Cultural CRL/Instituto Lus\u00F3fono de Investiga\u00E7\u00E3o e Desenvolvimento (grant COFAC/ILIND/CBIOS/2/2021). C.F.-P. is funded by the FCT\u2014Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P. (Portugal) Scientific Employment Stimulus contract [DOI 10.54499/CEECINST/00147/2018/CP1498/CT0009]. R.M. is funded by the FCT\u2014Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P. (Portugal) Scientific Employment Stimulus contract [DOI: 10.54499/CEECINST/00002/2021/CP2788/CT0004].

FundersFunder number
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

Keywords

  • Absorptiometry, Photon
  • Adult
  • Biomarkers/blood
  • Body Composition
  • Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control
  • Diet
  • Diet, Vegetarian
  • Female
  • Heart Disease Risk Factors
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nutritional Status
  • Vegetarians

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