Recent Insights in Vegetarian Nutrition

Research in the field of nutrition has expanded greatly in the last decades, becoming more detailed and specific. Among the various topics of large interest is the effect on human health and environment of plant-based diets, namely vegetarian diets, which exclude partially or totally animal foods. New insights are emerging from the increasingly in-depth observational and intervention studies that are conducted across the world. Vegetarian diets are associated with a reduction in the risk of chronic non-communicable diseases, such as cardiometabolic diseases and cancers, through different and multiple mechanisms that have not been unequivocally identified. Moreover, the environmental impact of plant-based diets is reported to be lower compared to omnivorous ones, thanks to the reduction in the consumption of resources and the emission of pollutants and greenhouse gases.

The aim of this Research Topic is to propose the results of recent research in areas that are still little investigated or controversial. In fact, while a huge amount of literature is currently available on the beneficial effects of vegetarian diets on the main chronic cardiometabolic diseases and cancers, studies on neurodegenerative diseases or minor common diseases, like anxiety-depression or gut health, are still lacking. The effect on many other variables, such as low dietary cholesterol and saturated fats, still remains controversial. Furthermore, the adequacy of vegetarian diets in various physiologic conditions, such as menopause or pregnancy, elderly and childhood, is still a matter of debate. The impact of different diets on the environment is also not completely conclusive since studies performed on real diets are limited. The mechanisms underlying many findings need further investigation.

Meta-analyses, reviews, clinical and observational studies, and in vitro studies addressing the less explored or less consistent topics in vegetarian nutrition are welcome to this Research Topic. Papers should focus on human and environmental health outcomes and issues related to vegetarian diets, plant foods, and bioactive compounds. Of particular interest (but not limited to) will be manuscripts addressing the effect of vegetarian diets, plant foods, or bioactive compounds on chronic inflammation, advanced glycation end products (AGEs), oxidative stress, microbiota, human growth and aging, neurodegenerative diseases, other diseases like colon diverticulosis, rheumatic diseases, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), osteoporosis, anxiety-depression, or total environmental impact. The adequacy of vegetarian diets in light of recent nutrient intake recommendations can also represent an interesting topic.

Keywords: Vegetarian, Vegan, Lacto-ovo-vegetarian, Plant-based, AGEs, Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, Non-communicable Diseases

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.