Dietary and Lifestyle Patterns and Their Associations with Cardiovascular and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Vegans, Vegetarians, Pescatarians, and Omnivores: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background

Plant-based diets are associated with reduced cardiometabolic risk, yet the influence of lifestyle behaviors on these benefits remains insufficiently understood.

Objective

To assess the combined impact of dietary patterns and lifestyle behaviors on body composition, lipid profiles, and inflammatory biomarkers in healthy young adults.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, 155 participants aged 18-39 years were categorized into four dietary groups: vegans (n = 48), vegetarians (n = 49), pescatarians (n = 23), and omnivores (n = 35). Body composition was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Blood samples were analyzed for lipid parameters, apolipoproteins, lipoprotein(a), and inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-α, and hsCRP). Participants were further stratified based on behavioral factors, including physical activity, sleep duration, smoking, and alcohol consumption.

Results

Vegans demonstrated the lowest body fat and visceral adipose tissue, along with the second-highest skeletal muscle mass. Significant intergroup differences were observed in total cholesterol (p = 0.032), HDL-C (p = 0.006), and triacylglycerols (p = 0.005). Among vegans, suboptimal lifestyle behaviors were associated with elevated LDL-C, non-HDL-C, and homocysteine levels (p < 0.05). Positive correlations were identified between ApoB and BMI (r = 0.517) and between IL-6 and waist-to-hip ratio (ρ = 0.499).

Conclusions

A vegan diet, when combined with healthy lifestyle behaviors, is associated with favorable body composition and lipid profiles. Regardless of dietary pattern, maintaining a healthy body weight and minimizing visceral adiposity are essential for reducing cardiovascular and inflammatory risk. These research findings underscore the importance of integrating high-quality plant-based diets with lifestyle modifications and advanced modeling approaches.