Effects of a vegetarian diet combined with aerobic exercise on glycemic control, insulin resistance, and body composition: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background Vegetarian diets and aerobic exercise are increasingly accepted as a common way to improve lifestyle. Several studies have shown that vegetarian diets combined with aerobic exercise interventions have a significant effect on preventing and reducing the risk of metabolic diseases. Methods A search of the PubMed, EBSCO, Embase, CENTRAL, and Web of Science databases was conducted for comparative studies of pre- and post-vegetarian diet adoption combined with aerobic exercise interventions on glycemic control and body composition. Qualitative reviews and meta-analyses of fixed and random effects were conducted to pool available data. The results were validated by sensitivity analysis. Results A total of 27 studies were selected for meta-analysis. Combining the studies included in the meta-analysis showed a mean difference for homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance of − 0.75 (− 1.08 to − 0.42), fasting plasma glucose of − 0.27(− 0.30 to − 0.23), waist circumference of − 1.10 (− 5.06 to 2.86) and body mass index of − 0.70 (− 1.38 to − 0.01). Conclusion In summary, our findings suggest that participants who adopted a vegetarian diet combined with aerobic exercise intervention had significantly lower fasting plasma glucose and insulin levels and improved body composition compared to preintervention participants. Level of evidence Level I, systematic review and meta-analysis.

Cardiovascular health and cancer risk associated with plant based diets: An umbrella review

“…Benatar et al [ 25 ]–including 12,619 vegans and 179,630 omnivores from 40 observation studies–and Dinu et al [ 14 ]–based on 19 cross sectional studies, for a total of 8,376 vegans and 123,292 omnivores–reported the same exact result, with a mean lower BMI in vegans vs omnivores, equal to -1.72 kg/m 2 (95%CI: -2.30, -1.16) and -1.72 kg/m 2 (95%CI: -2.21,-1.22; p<0.0001), respectively. The meta-analysis by Long et al [ 41 ], performed on 27 studies, reported a MD of -0.70 kg/m 2 (95%CI: -1.38, -0.01) for BMI in vegans vs. omnivores. A systematic review and meta-analysis by Agnoli et al [ 42 ] found mean BMI to be lower in subjects adhering to mixed vegetarian diets as compared to omnivores.…”

“…A meta-analysis by Long et al [ 41 ], based of 27 cross sectional studies, showed a MD for homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance -measured as HOMA-IR, a unitless measure ideally less than one- of -0.75 (95%CI: -1.08, -0.42), fasting plasma glucose in vegetarians who adhered also to an exercise intervention as compared to omnivores.…”

“…Compared to omnivorous regimens, vegetarian and vegan diets appear to significantly improve the metabolic profile through the reduction of total and LDL cholesterol [ 14 – 21 , 23 , 25 ], fasting blood glucose and HbA1c [ 14 , 24 , 25 , 37 , 39 – 41 ], and are associated with lower body weight/BMI, as well as reduced levels of inflammation (evaluated by serum CRP levels [ 27 , 30 ]), while the effect on HDL cholesterol and triglycerides, systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels remains debated. A much more limited body of literature suggested vegetarian, but not vegan diets also reduce ApoB levels further improving the lipid profile [ 61 ].…”

Nutrition and exercise: Cornerstones of health with emphasis on obesity and type 2 diabetes management—A narrative review

“…80 Therefore, integrating exercise with a balanced diet can yield a synergistic metabolic response. 81 As an illustration, integrating RET with an energy-restricted high-protein diet may facilitate weight reduction, engender favorable alterations in body composition, and amplify functional physical performance in adults with obesity. 82 Such a combination also enhances glycemic control and CVD risk markers in overweight and individuals with obesity diagnosed with T2D.…”

A importância do Nutricionista para a promoção da saúde do indivíduo com resistência insulínica

“…Em uma metanálise recente realizada por Long et al (2023), ao estudar a associação entre o consumo de dieta vegetariana e prática de atividade física, evidenciaram a importância da combinação de ambos, enfatizando a necessidade do programa de intervenções abrangentes no estilo de vida a toda comunidade, com incentivo a dieta vegetariana e prática de atividade física diária de intensidade moderada.…”