Abstract
Plant-based diets are becoming more popular for many reasons, and epidemiological as well as clinical data also suggest that a well-balanced vegan diet can be adopted for the prevention, and in some cases, in the treatment of many diseases. In this narrative review, we provide an overview of the relationships between these diets and various conditions and their potential biochemical background. As whole plant foods are very rich in food-derived antioxidants and other phytochemicals, they have many positive physiological effects on different aspects of health. In the background of the beneficial health effects, several biochemical processes could stand, including the reduced formation of trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) or decreased serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels and altered signaling pathways such as mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR). In addition, the composition of plant-based diets may play a role in preventing lipotoxicity, avoiding N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc), and reducing foodborne endotoxin intake. In this article, we attempt to draw attention to the growing knowledge about these diets and provide starting points for further research.
Highlights
The definition of plant-based diets is widely used, and its main focus is consuming raw or minimally processed vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, spices, and herbs
Several well-known healthcare institutes such as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics [18], the American Diabetes Association [19], the British Dietetic Association [20], the American Dietetic Association and Dietitians of Canada [21], the Directorate-General of Health of Portugal [22], and the German Nutrition Society [23] have given attention to plant-based nutrition, but these recommendations and position papers focus mainly on the macro- and micronutrient content of these diets and their potentially beneficial health roles. These diets are acceptable for example in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with the evidence level B [19] and these recommendations mentioned above list a number of chronic diseases in which a vegetarian, vegan, or other plant-based diet might be beneficial, little is said about the physiological and biochemical mechanisms underlying these positive effects
The results showed that the trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) levels were elevated from the baseline in both groups, the vegans/vegetarians had much lower TMAO and platelet aggregation than the omnivores
Summary
The definition of plant-based diets is widely used, and its main focus is consuming raw or minimally processed vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, spices, and herbs. Of Health of Portugal [22], and the German Nutrition Society [23] have given attention to plant-based nutrition, but these recommendations and position papers focus mainly on the macro- and micronutrient content of these diets and their potentially beneficial health roles. These diets are acceptable for example in the management of T2DM, with the evidence level B [19] and these recommendations mentioned above list a number of chronic diseases in which a vegetarian, vegan, or other plant-based diet might be beneficial, little is said about the physiological and biochemical mechanisms underlying these positive effects. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of some possible biochemical processes behind the positive physiological effects of these diets demonstrated in previous scientific literature
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
