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Plant-Based Diets for Human and Planetary Health from Diverse Food Cultures: Nutrient Adequacy and Health Effects

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition and Public Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 November 2023) | Viewed by 9042

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, 128 Sec. 2, Academia Rd. Nankang, Taipei 115, Taiwan
Interests: nutrition epidemiology; nutrition survey; cardiovascular epidemiology; geriatric syndrome; dietary intervention; community-based intervention; genomics; metabolomics
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plant-based diets (PBDs) have been recently advocated for, not only for controlling NCDs, but also for maintaining planetary health and food security. PBDs, focusing on whole foods from plants (but not completely limited to plants), may have the advantages of avoiding certain nutrient deficiencies and mitigating the harms from consuming too much animal-sourced and super-processed foods.

Since PBDs exist in various cultures and in different pockets of societies, this Special Issue invites reports examining nutrient adequacy and health effects of real-world plant-based diets, especially traditional diets from around the world. The methods should include a description of tasty and nutritious cultural foods which make wholesome PBD practices feasible and interesting.

Dr. Wen-Harn Pan
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • plant-based diet
  • food cultural diversity
  • nutrient adequacy
  • health effect
  • health

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 1575 KiB  
Article
Is Nutrient Quality of the Locally-Existing, EAT-Lancet-like Plant-Based Diet Better or Worse than the Average Diet in Taiwan? An Example of Local Translation
by Wen-Harn Pan, Szu-Yun Wu and Po-Chen Chang
Nutrients 2024, 16(16), 2775; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16162775 - 20 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1132
Abstract
The EAT-Lancet commission advocated a planetary health diet in 2019. Some have raised concerns about its nutrient adequacy. This study used data from recent Nutrition and Health Surveys in Taiwan—from 2017 to 2020 (n = 6538)—to assess food intake and nutrient [...] Read more.
The EAT-Lancet commission advocated a planetary health diet in 2019. Some have raised concerns about its nutrient adequacy. This study used data from recent Nutrition and Health Surveys in Taiwan—from 2017 to 2020 (n = 6538)—to assess food intake and nutrient adequacy among three red meat consumption levels (low/medium/high). The low red meat group, whose diet was similar to the EAT-Lancet reference, showed significantly higher/better levels of vitamins C and E, calcium, magnesium, sodium, dietary fiber, and the polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids ratio. However, protein, B vitamins, phosphorus for females, and zinc were slightly compromised, but they were still near or above 100% of the Daily Reference Intakes (DRIs), except for zinc (74~75%). The intake levels of vitamin D, calcium, and dietary fiber in all three groups at times did not reach 70% of the DRIs, but this was more pronounced in the high red meat group compared to the low red meat group. Replacing ultra-processed foods (UPFs) with whole/healthy foods improved levels of zinc, calcium, and dietary fiber, but not vitamin D. Finally, a proposed local planetary health dietary construct was provided, suggesting maintaining the original distribution of the food groups recommended by the Taiwan Food Guide while specifying amounts of protein sources in line with the EAT-Lancet principles. The proposed diet, according to our estimation and comparison with Taiwanese DRIs, was nearly perfect in its nutrient composition. Full article
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22 pages, 3410 KiB  
Article
Spatial Barriers to Transforming toward a Healthy Food System in the Noreste of Mexico
by Rob Roggema, Aleksandra Krstikj and Brianda Flores
Nutrients 2024, 16(9), 1259; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16091259 - 24 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1498
Abstract
In the past five decades, global food systems have undergone a notable transition, moving from predominantly rural settings to increasingly urban and industrialized environments, largely driven by processes of globalization and supply chain integration. However, this evolution has not adequately addressed equitable access [...] Read more.
In the past five decades, global food systems have undergone a notable transition, moving from predominantly rural settings to increasingly urban and industrialized environments, largely driven by processes of globalization and supply chain integration. However, this evolution has not adequately addressed equitable access to nutritious diets and food environments, resulting in adverse health outcomes. This study delves into the spatial and non-spatial barriers that impede the adoption of healthy diets in the Noreste of Mexico, particularly focusing on the challenges associated with accessing and cultivating plant-based foods. Through an examination of suitable areas for urban agriculture and an exploration of the socio-cultural factors influencing the adoption of plant-based diets, the research focuses on interventions aimed at promoting healthier and more sustainable eating practices in Monterrey. The findings of the study reveal significant disparities in food access across the Monterrey metropolitan area, with central urban zones exhibiting superior access to fresh foods compared to suburban and peripheral regions. This inequality disproportionately affects marginalized areas characterized by higher poverty rates, exacerbating issues of food insecurity. Nevertheless, traditional dietary practices could offer promising avenues for creating culturally significant and healthier dietary transitions, even amidst the ongoing process of urbanization. Full article
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13 pages, 2348 KiB  
Article
Aligning Santal Tribe Menu Templates with EAT-Lancet Commission’s Dietary Guidelines for Sustainable and Healthy Diets: A Comparative Analysis
by Sarah Armes, Arundhita Bhanjdeo, Debashis Chakraborty, Harmanpreet Kaur, Sumantra Ray and Nitya Rao
Nutrients 2024, 16(3), 447; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16030447 - 2 Feb 2024
Viewed by 2260
Abstract
Background: In the context of global shifts in food systems, this paper explores the unique dietary practices of the Santal tribe, an indigenous group in eastern India, to understand the health, nutrition, and sustainability aspects of their traditional food systems. This study evaluates [...] Read more.
Background: In the context of global shifts in food systems, this paper explores the unique dietary practices of the Santal tribe, an indigenous group in eastern India, to understand the health, nutrition, and sustainability aspects of their traditional food systems. This study evaluates the nutritional content of the Santal diet in comparison to the EAT-Lancet Commission’s 2019 dietary guidelines for healthy and sustainable diets. Methods: The University of East Anglia, in collaboration with the NNEdPro Global Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health in Cambridge, PRADAN; colleagues in India and local Santal youth, conducted nutritional analyses of traditional Santal recipes. Two menu templates, Kanhu Thali and Jhano Thali, were selected for comparative analysis based on their representation of diverse dietary practices within the Santal community. Nutritional data, including energy as well as the distribution of macronutrients and micronutrients, were compiled and compared with the EAT-Lancet guidelines. Results: The Santal menu templates (nutritionally complete meals) demonstrated alignment with EAT-Lancet recommendations in aspects such as whole grains, starchy vegetables, vegetables, plant-based protein sources, unsaturated fats, and limited added sugars. However, notable deviations included the absence of animal-based protein sources and dairy. The Santal diet showed high protein intake, largely from plant-based sources, and emphasised the importance of whole grains. Seasonal variations in nutritional content were observed between the two templates. Conclusions: While the Santal diet aligns with some aspects of global dietary guidelines, there are notable deviations that underscore the complexity of aligning traditional diets with universal recommendations. The findings emphasise the need for culturally sensitive dietary recommendations that respect traditional diets while promoting sustainability. Research needs to support tailored global guidelines enshrining core principles of nutritional adequacy which are inter-culturally operable in order to accommodate cultural diversity, local practices, and seasonal variations, crucial for fostering sustainable and healthy eating habits in diverse sociodemographic contexts. Full article
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Review

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22 pages, 4735 KiB  
Review
Effects of Plant-Based Diets on Anthropometric and Cardiometabolic Markers in Adults: An Umbrella Review
by Han Shi Jocelyn Chew, Felicia Kai Xin Heng, Si Ai Tien, Jie Yun Thian, Hui Shan Chou, Shaun Seh Ern Loong, Wei How Darryl Ang, Nicholas W. S. Chew and Ka-Hei Kenneth Lo
Nutrients 2023, 15(10), 2331; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15102331 - 16 May 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3414
Abstract
We conducted an umbrella review to consolidate the evidence of adopting plant-based diets on anthropometric and cardiometabolic outcomes. Six electronic databases (CINAHL, EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) were searched for systematic reviews with meta-analysis (SRMAs) published from each [...] Read more.
We conducted an umbrella review to consolidate the evidence of adopting plant-based diets on anthropometric and cardiometabolic outcomes. Six electronic databases (CINAHL, EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) were searched for systematic reviews with meta-analysis (SRMAs) published from each journal’s inception until 1 October 2022. Effect sizes from SRMAs and primary studies were pooled separately using random effects models. Overlapping primary studies were removed for primary studies’ analyses. Seven SRMAs representing 51 primary studies were included, suggesting significant benefits of plant-based diets on weight (−2.09 kg, 95% CI: −3.56, −0.62 kg, p = 0.01, I2 = 95.6%), body mass index (−0.95 kg/m2, 95% CI: −1.26, −0.63 kg/m2, p = 0.002; I2 = 45.1%), waist circumference (−2.20 cm, 95% CI: −0.08, 0.00 cm, p = 0.04; I2 = 88.4%), fasting blood glucose (−0.11 mmol/L, 95% CI: −0.13, −0.09 mmol/L, p < 0.001, I2 = 18.2%), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (−0.31 mmol/L, 95% CI: −0.41, −0.20 mmol/L, p < 0.001, I2 = 65.6%). Changes in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure were not statistically significant. Generally, plant-based diets were recommended to improve anthropometry, lipid profile, and glucose metabolism. However, findings should be interpreted with caution, because most of the reviews were rated to be of low credibility of evidence and were largely based on Western eating habits and traditions, which may limit the generalizability of findings. Full article
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