Summary
This narrative review of 16 interventional studies (2014–2024) examines how vegan diets affect adult body composition. Vegan diets produced greater reductions in body weight and more favourable body composition changes than control diets (high-carbohydrate lacto-ovo, Mediterranean, ketogenic, portion-controlled, and Western-type diets), though some studies reported significant muscle mass loss. The authors recommend resistance training, adequate protein intake, and modest energy restriction to preserve muscle mass, and note that individual factors such as baseline BMI and health status influence outcomes.
Regional applicability
Although the included studies spanned multiple countries (USA, Canada, Brazil, Chile, and Europe), the review does not report UK-specific data or analyse UK dietary guidelines. The findings are transferable to UK clinical and public health contexts, particularly given overlapping food environments and dietary diversity, though UK-specific research on vegan diet composition and adherence patterns would strengthen applicability to national population groups.
Key measures
Body weight, body composition (fat mass, fat-free mass, muscle mass), BMI, comparison across dietary interventions
Outcomes reported
The review synthesised 16 human interventional studies (2014–2024) examining changes in body weight, body composition, and muscle mass in adults following vegan diets compared to various control diets. Findings evaluated whether body composition analysis provides superior assessment of weight management outcomes compared to BMI alone.
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