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Impact of Vegan and Vegetarian Diets on Neurological Health: A Critical Review
Vicente Javier Clemente‐Suárez, Laura Redondo-Flórez, Alexandra Martín-Rodríguez, Agustín Curiel-Regueros, Alejandro Rubio-Zarapuz, José Francisco Tornero-Aguilera. Nutrients, 2025-02-28
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Evidence suggests that vegan and vegetarian diets, when well planned, can be rich in phytonutrients and antioxidants, which have been associated with lower levels of inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). These findings indicate a potential role in reducing systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which are linked to neurodegenerative diseases. However, deficiencies in critical nutrients such as vitamin B12, DHA, EPA, and iron have been consistently associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline, mood disturbances, and neurodegenerative disorders. Additionally, the presence of antinutritional factors like phytates and oxalates may further impair nutrient absorption, necessitating careful dietary planning and supplementation. While plant-based diets provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, their neurological implications depend on nutrient adequacy. Proper planning, supplementation, and food preparation techniques are essential to mitigate risks and enhance cognitive health. Further research is needed to explore long-term neurological outcomes and optimize dietary strategies.
Key findings
- Evidence suggests that vegan and vegetarian diets, when well planned, can be rich in phytonutrients and antioxidants, which have been associated with lower levels of inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6).
- These findings indicate a potential role in reducing systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which are linked to neurodegenerative diseases.
- However, deficiencies in critical nutrients such as vitamin B12, DHA, EPA, and iron have been consistently associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline, mood disturbances, and neurodegenerative disorders.
- Additionally, the presence of antinutritional factors like phytates and oxalates may further impair nutrient absorption, necessitating careful dietary planning and supplementation.
- While plant-based diets provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, their neurological implications depend on nutrient adequacy.
Why it matters
This review says well-planned vegan and vegetarian diets may reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, which are linked to neurodegenerative diseases, but that deficiencies in vitamin B12, DHA, EPA and iron are consistently associated with increased risk of cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disorders. It concludes that neurological effects depend on nutrient adequacy, with careful planning and supplementation needed.
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Study details
- Study designsystematic review
- Evidence strengthHigh
How this study scored 62/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a systematic review of all the studies on the question. Scored zero for sample size, effect reported and studied in people because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Nutrients) |
| Journal's citation record | 3 / 4 | Nutrients: journal h-index 331 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 12 / 12 | A systematic review of all the studies on the question |
| Strength of evidence | 5 / 5 | Rated “high” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | A review of other studies — randomisation is not credited here |
| Times cited | 4 / 7 | Cited 44 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 3 / 5 | 14.7 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 5 / 6 | Cited 37.3× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 44 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author José Francisco Tornero-Aguilera: h-index 41 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Universidad Europea de Madrid: institution h-index 246 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 3 institution(s) in 2 countries |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 40077754) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 62 / 100 | — |
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Read the original
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Clemente‐Suárez, V. J., Redondo-Flórez, L., Martín-Rodríguez, A., Curiel-Regueros, A., Rubio-Zarapuz, A., & Tornero-Aguilera, J. F. (2025). Impact of Vegan and Vegetarian Diets on Neurological Health: A Critical Review. Nutrients. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17050884
Vancouver
Clemente‐Suárez VJ, Redondo-Flórez L, Martín-Rodríguez A, Curiel-Regueros A, Rubio-Zarapuz A, Tornero-Aguilera JF. Impact of Vegan and Vegetarian Diets on Neurological Health: A Critical Review. Nutrients. 2025. doi:10.3390/nu17050884. PMID: 40077754.
BibTeX
@article{clementesuarez2025-40077754,
author = {Clemente‐Suárez, Vicente Javier and Redondo-Flórez, Laura and Martín-Rodríguez, Alexandra and Curiel-Regueros, Agustín and Rubio-Zarapuz, Alejandro and Tornero-Aguilera, José Francisco},
title = {{Impact of Vegan and Vegetarian Diets on Neurological Health: A Critical Review}},
journal = {Nutrients},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.3390/nu17050884},
pmid = {40077754},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17050884}
}
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