Plant-Based Diets Linked to Better Kidney Function | Healio

Plant-Based Diets Linked to Better Kidney Function | Healio

February 12, 2026 discoverhiddenusacom Health

New research suggests a link between dietary patterns and kidney health. A study published in the Journal of Renal Nutrition found that vegan and pesco-vegetarian diets were associated with better kidney function compared to nonvegetarian diets.

Diet and Kidney Function

Researchers, led by Fayth M. Butler, PhD, of Loma Linda University School of Public Health in California, analyzed data from 899 participants in the Adventist Health Study-2. Participants were categorized by their dietary habits: vegan, lacto-ovo-vegetarian, pesco-vegetarian, semivegetarian, or nonvegetarian. The primary outcome measured was serum creatinine eGFR.

Did You Know? The Adventist Health Study-2 cohort shares cultural and religious beliefs and lifestyle practices.

The study considered adjustments for factors like race, sex, age, education, smoking, alcohol intake, BMI, and pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, CVD, and cancer history. Data analysis included untargeted plasma metabolomics performed on 139 patients to explore potential connections between diet, metabolic pathways, and eGFR.

Dietary Differences and eGFR

The research indicated that, in a fully adjusted model, vegan and pesco-vegetarian diets were linked to significantly higher eGFR compared to nonvegetarian diets. However, the association varied based on age, and sex. For those 65 and older, a pesco-vegetarian diet showed a significant link to higher eGFR in the first and second models, while a vegan diet showed significance only in the second model. For those younger than 65, a vegan diet was associated with higher eGFR only in the first model.

Specifically, pesco-vegetarian diets were associated with higher eGFR across all four models for white women. Vegan diets were associated with higher eGFR for white women in the first two models and for white men in the first three models. No significant associations were found for Black women or men, though vegan diets showed a trend toward significance for Black men in some models.

Expert Insight: The differing results across demographic groups suggest that factors beyond diet—such as sociocultural influences or unmeasured biological differences—may play a role in the relationship between diet and kidney function.

Metabolic Pathways and Kidney Health

Researchers identified 296 metabolites linked to creatinine measurements. Creatinine levels showed positive associations with various lipid and amino acid subclasses, including histidine metabolism, lysine metabolism, and plasmalogens. Lower levels of these metabolites may be protective, while higher levels may indicate impaired renal clearance. The study suggests that plant-based diets may positively influence kidney health by mitigating pathways contributing to kidney dysfunction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the primary outcome measured in the study?

The primary outcome was serum creatinine eGFR.

How many participants were included in the study?

The study included 899 participants from the Adventist Health Study-2.

What types of diets were compared in the study?

The diets compared were vegan, lacto-ovo-vegetarian, pesco-vegetarian, semivegetarian, and nonvegetarian.

As research continues, it will be important to understand how these findings translate to broader populations and how plant-based diets can be strategically incorporated into kidney health management plans.