Open Access Journal
Open Access Journal
Vegetarian diets are associated with a lower incidence of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, as well as contributing to weight loss and improved overall health. From this perspective, the objective of this work is to analyze the effects of the vegetarian diet on human health, evaluating both the benefits and risks associated with this form of eating, to provide a comprehensive understanding of its impact on well-being and quality of life. This is an integrative review of the literature in Portuguese, English and Spanish, in the electronic databases Periódico Capes, PubMed and SciELO, between the years 2019 and 2024. The Health Sciences Descriptors (DEcS) were used: "vegetarian diet"; "chronic diseases"; "vegetarianism"; "risks and benefits"; "nutrients". After applying the eligibility criteria, of the 1608 studies found, twenty-one studies were included in the integrative review. The articles were published in English (n=10), Spanish (n=1), Portuguese (n=10) in international journals, between 2019 and 2024. The study sites comprised a total of 10 countries. Vegetarian and vegan diets, when well planned, offer health benefits, such as lower risk of chronic and cardiovascular diseases, and contribute to environmental sustainability, reducing gas emissions and resource use. However, nutritional monitoring is crucial to avoid deficiencies in nutrients such as vitamin B12 and iron. These regimes also reflect ethical and socio-cultural values, gaining increasing acceptance.
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