A French agency’s five-year review of vegetarian diets has found that plant-based eating can have both health benefits and risks. Experts say that vegans need to pay attention to balancing their meals, as moderate evidence suggests a lower risk of type 2 diabetes with vegetarian diets. There is also some weaker evidence suggesting reduced heart disease, certain cancers, and gastrointestinal issues.
However, more tenuous research hints at increased bone fractures or congenital urethral malformations in plant-based dieters. To address this, the agency created dietary recommendations that consider nutrition, contamination risks, and eating habits. These guidelines highlight the importance of consuming fruits, vegetables, legumes, starchy carbohydrates, nuts, seeds, dairy products, and fortified vegan equivalents daily.
The French agency’s experts emphasize that vegetarians and vegans need to be aware of “less favourable” levels of iron, iodine, vitamins B12, D, and calcium-phosphate balance. Without proper planning, these nutrients can lead to increased risks such as bone fractures. With balanced eating, vegans can meet their nutritional needs, according to the UK’s National Health Service. The agency’s recommendations aim to help vegetarians improve their diets and achieve a healthy, balanced plant-based lifestyle.
Source: https://www.euronews.com/health/2025/03/14/lower-risk-of-diabetes-to-bone-fractures-what-are-the-benefits-and-drawbacks-of-being-vege