It has been recommended that a diet should be based around the Eatwell Guide or Food Pyramid. Both models represent the defined food groups and the balance of each food group, however following a vegan diet or a plant based diet does not represent either of these models. A vegan does not provide foods of animal origin with their diet normally providing a greater consumption of fruits and vegetables, likewise for a plant based diet.
Diabetes UK have highlighted that a diet focussing on fruit, vegetables, nuts pulses and seeds, essentially the components of a plant based diet or a vegan diet, can help reduce the risk of diabetes. Diabetes UK mentions that a vegan diet is beneficial for reducing type 2 diabetes, as it contains foods that are normally low in saturated fat. This combined with natural sugar from fruit and vegetables to replace refined sugar and a minimum intake of simple carbohydrates which can raise blood glucose, is a diet that should be practiced in reducing the risk of diabetes.
Key components of a diet; fruit and vegetables have found to improve the symptoms of dementia according to Loef and Walach (2013). A systematic review of cohort studies conducted by Loef and Walach looked for an association between fruit and vegetables and the prevention of cognitive decline and dementia. Findings revealed that increased intake of vegetables is linked to a lower risk of dementia and slower rates of cognitive decline. It was also concluded in this study that further research is needed to find a link between high intakes of fruit and cognitive decline. A more recent study by Jiang et al (2017) concluded that there is related evidence for increased consumption of fruit and vegetables and reduced cognitive impairment and dementia.