Eating a healthful plant-based diet, which consists of minimal animal products and processed plant-based foods like refined grains and sugary drinks, has been linked to reduced risk for cardiovascular disease, cancer, Type 2 diabetes and mortality, according to research involving 126,394 adults published in JAMA Network Open. An unhealthful plant-based diet increased risks for CVD, cancer and mortality, with researchers noting that even among those with a genetic predisposition for CVD, a healthful plant-based diet reduced risks.