Going vegan can lead to weight loss: study

The review analyzed the results of 12 studies about veganism with data from a total of 1,151 dieters spanning between nine and 74 weeks of slimming efforts.

It's the first study to compare data from vegan plans against that of the Atkins diet and others recommended by the American Diabetes Association and the US National Cholesterol Education Program.

Dieters on a vegetarian or vegan plan lost an average of 2.02 kg (4.45 lbs.) more than those who consumed meat and other animal products.

Of the non-meat-eating group, the vegans edged out the vegetarians, losing an average of 2.52 kg (5.55 lbs.).

Vegetarians whose diet permits eggs and other dairy products lost an average of 1.48 kg (3.26 lbs.) more than their meat-eating counterparts.

Those who followed a calorie-restricted vegetarian diet lost more weight than those who simply avoided meat.

Whole grains, fruits and vegetables emerge as the driving forces behind the favorable results, says lead author Ru-Yi Huang of E-Da Hospital in Taiwan.

They have a low glycemic index and thus prevent blood sugar levels from spiking, according to Huang.

Too many spikes in blood sugar levels could bring upon type 2 diabetes, according to the Harvard School of Public Health, as the process produces so much insulin that the body stops responding to it overtime, ceasing production.

Fruits rich in fiber, antioxidants, minerals and plant-based chemicals circumvent excess blood sugar spikes, says Huang.

Whole grain products contain soluble fiber -- the "good" fiber that makes for slow, smooth digestion, according to Huang, who remarks that studies have demonstrated that fiber consumption promotes weight loss.

"Vegetarian diets are more effective than non-vegetarian diets for weight loss," says Huang, emphasizing the need for long-term intervention trials to thoroughly investigate the benefits of vegetarian and vegan diets.