In a landmark multinational investigation encompassing over 400,000 individuals aged between 37 and 70, researchers have unveiled compelling evidence linking plant-based dietary patterns to a significantly reduced risk of developing multimorbidity related to cancer and cardiometabolic diseases. This extensive analysis, conducted by a collaborative effort among the University of Vienna, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in France, and Kyung Hee University in South Korea, provides groundbreaking insights into how plant-focused nutrition can influence complex disease trajectories across diverse European populations. Published in the prestigious journal The Lancet Healthy Longevity, the study represents a pivotal advancement in nutritional epidemiology and chronic disease prevention.
Multimorbidity, defined as the coexistence of two or more chronic conditions within an individual, signifies a growing global health challenge. Particularly prevalent among adults aged 60 and over, the simultaneous burden of diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes dramatically impairs quality of life and complicates medical management. The current study breaks new ground by not only examining the risk of individual diseases but also focusing on the confluence of multiple chronic diseases—offering vital epidemiological data on how dietary behaviors modulate the pathophysiology of disease clusters.
The analysis harnessed rich, longitudinal data sets from two expansive European cohort studies: the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) and the UK Biobank. Participants hailed from six distinct European countries—Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark—ensuring broad geographic and cultural representation. This diversity in cohort composition strengthens the generalizability of the results and underscores the universal implications of dietary modification. Findings from the UK Biobank cohort specifically highlighted a striking 32% reduction in the risk of multimorbidity among individuals with higher adherence to plant-based diets.
Dr. Reynalda Córdova, the study’s lead nutritional epidemiologist, emphasized that these benefits are attainable without the necessity of a complete exclusion of animal products. “Shifting towards a more plant-based diet can already have a positive impact,” she noted, suggesting that incremental dietary changes rather than radical overhauls may suffice to confer protection. This nuanced perspective aligns with recent public health guidelines advocating primarily plant-based eating patterns complemented by limited animal-derived foods, enhancing both feasibility and compliance for diverse populations.
The researchers delved into age-specific risk variations, comparing outcomes among middle-aged adults (below 60 years) and older adults (60 years and above). The protective association between plant-based diet adherence and lowered risk of cancer and cardiometabolic multimorbidity was consistent across both age strata. This universality highlights the critical importance of dietary intervention throughout the adult lifespan, potentially forestalling the cumulative burden of chronic disease often seen in advanced age.
From a mechanistic viewpoint, plant-based diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and plant-based meat alternatives are replete with bioactive compounds such as dietary fibers, antioxidants, phytochemicals, and anti-inflammatory agents. These constituents actively modulate metabolic pathways implicated in carcinogenesis, atherosclerosis, and insulin resistance. By contrast, high intake of processed meats and saturated fats derived from animal products have been linked to pro-inflammatory states, oxidative stress, and disturbances in gut microbiota, all contributing to disease pathogenesis. This study’s findings lend substantive epidemiological weight to existing biological theories, reinforcing the multifaceted benefits of plant-forward nutrition.
The implications extend beyond individual health. Karl-Heinz Wagner of the University of Vienna and president of the Austrian Society for Nutrition highlighted the environmental co-benefits of adopting plant-based dietary patterns. Not only do such diets mitigate risks of debilitating diseases, but they also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and land use demands associated with animal agriculture. This intersectionality between human health and ecological sustainability adds a compelling dimension, advocating for integrated policies that simultaneously address public health and climate change challenges.
Importantly, the research delineated what constitutes a “healthy” plant-based diet, emphasizing increased consumption of nutrient-dense plant foods alongside lower intake of meat and meat products. The inclusion of plant-based substitutes like vegan sausages or burgers reflects evolving food technologies and their potential role in facilitating dietary transitions. Such innovations might enhance palate acceptance and diversity, thereby supporting long-term adherence and amplifying health outcomes.
This comprehensive study underscores the urgency for recalibrating dietary guidelines and public health strategies to prioritize plant-based food consumption while permitting moderate animal product intake. By considering multimorbidity risk trajectories in guideline development, health authorities can better tailor recommendations that not only address isolated diseases but also the interconnected nature of chronic conditions affecting aging populations worldwide.
Furthermore, the researchers advocate for expansive, interdisciplinary approaches to further dissect how plant-based diets influence molecular pathways and gene-environment interactions that underlie disease clustering. Such future investigations could characterize specific dietary components, microbiome profiles, and genetic predispositions that modulate individual responses, paving the way for precision nutrition in chronic disease prevention.
Overall, this multinational, data-driven study delivers convincing evidence supporting a shift towards predominantly plant-based dietary patterns as a scalable, effective approach to mitigating the growing burden of cancer and cardiometabolic multimorbidity. With aging populations worldwide facing rising rates of chronic disease, these findings provide actionable insights with profound implications for public health nutrition, clinical practice, and environmental stewardship.
The study was spearheaded by Dr. Reynalda Córdova of the University of Vienna alongside Dr. Jihye Kim of Kyung Hee University, illustrating the power of international collaboration in addressing pressing global health concerns. As the world grapples with escalating multimorbidity prevalence, their work charts a clarion path forward—embracing nutrition as a cornerstone of holistic health and longevity in the 21st century.
Subject of Research: Plant-based dietary patterns and their association with the risk of multimorbidity involving cancer and cardiometabolic diseases across different age groups.
Article Title: Plant-based dietary patterns and age-specific risk of multimorbidity of cancer and cardiometabolic diseases: a prospective analysis
News Publication Date: 19-Aug-2025
Web References: DOI 10.1016/j.lanhl.2025.100742
References: The Lancet Healthy Longevity, 2025, volume and issue details as per journal database.
Image Credits: Not provided in source material.
