Plant-Protein Intake Is Associated with Lower Mortality at 16 Years

High-protein diets, especially those in which proteins are substituted for carbohydrates, have health benefits (e.g., lower blood pressure, improved lipids, weight loss). However, little is known about the health effects of various dietary proteins: plant or animal. In this prospective study, researchers determined associations between plant-protein intake and overall or cause-specific mortality.

Study participants (416,000; age range, 50–71) completed baseline demographic, lifestyle, and dietary questionnaires in 1995 or 1996. The median daily energy intake from protein was 15% (40% from plant and 60% from animal sources). During 16 years of follow-up, 78,000 deaths occurred. After adjustment for multiple variables, plant-protein intake was…