Animal-based low carbohydrate diets are associated with elevated total, cancer, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality risk.
This study was designed to determine the relationship between animal-based and plant-based low-carbohydrate diets and mortality. Using validated food frequency questionnaires, researchers evaluated the diets of 85,168 women and 44,548 men free from cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases for 26 and 20 years respectively. The cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality hazard ratios were assessed in all the subjects.
Researchers observed a low incidence of CVD and all-cause mortality in individuals who consumed large quantities of vegetable-based low carbohydrate diets. On the other hand, high intake of animal-based low carbohydrate diets increased CVD, cancer, and all-cause mortality risk in this study. The findings of this study show that plant-based low carbohydrate diets may lower total, cancer, and CVD mortality rates.