Frequently Asked Question
HealthLongevity / all-cause mortality
Last reviewed: January 9, 2026
Summary
Large observational studies often find lower all-cause mortality risk with higher-quality plant-forward diets and higher intake of whole plant foods; results vary by population and diet quality.
Evidence Summary
- Benefits are strongest when “plant-based” means whole foods, not just “no animal foods.” Evidence quality: Moderate Limitations / nuance: Observational confounding; “healthy user bias.” Bottom line: High-quality plant-forward diets are compatible with longevity; quality matters.
Supporting Evidence
Caveats: Observational confounding and "healthy user bias" are limitations.
Sources:
- Desmond MA, et al.. Nutritional adequacy of plant-based diets in children (2024)
- Association Between Plant-Based Dietary Patterns and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
- Plant-based diets and risk of disease mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies
- Feinberg A, et al.. Ultra-processed foods from plant and animal sources and all-cause, cardiovascular disease, and cancer mortality (2025)