A vegetarian diet has several potential benefits. People who eat a vegetarian diet tend to have lower total cholesterol levels, LDL cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, and apolipoprotein B (ApoB).[1][2][3][4] There is also some evidence, although it is not consistent, that people who follow a vegetarian diet may have lower blood pressure.[5][1][6][7] These factors contribute to a lower risk for ischemic heart disease (IHD) and a lower risk for cerebrovascular disease, including stroke.[2]
There is some evidence showing that a vegetarian diet is associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.[8][9][10] It can also be used as an adjunct to standard treatment to further improve glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes, as it can lower fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels.[11][12][13][14] However, the evidence for a vegetarian diet for the treatment of diabetes is inconclusive, and it should not be used in isolation to treat type 2 diabetes.[15]