Association of elevated TyG level with plant-based diets in the context of imbalanced dietary pattern

Objective: The health impact of plant-based diets under imbalanced conditions remains unclear. We investigated the association of plant-based diet with Triglyceride-glucose index(TyG) among Chinese population. 

Methods: Data were obtained from the Regional Ethnic Cohort Study in northwest China. Dietary data collected with a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to establish three indices: plant-based diet index(PDI), healthy plant-based diet index(hPDI), and unhealthy plant-based diet index(uPDI). A new index was introduced to represent ratio of animal-based to plant-based food intake(RAP and healthy RAP). The relationships between each plant-based diet index and TyG was assessed with logistic regression and restricted cubic spline model. 

Results: Over 75 % of participants adhered to a diet with higher intake of plant-based foods. Females consumed more plant-based foods and fewer animal-based foods than their male counterparts. Among females, those in Q4 of PDI(OR = 1.25,95 %CI:0.97–1.62) and hPDI(OR = 1.55,95 %CI:1.19–2.03) faced an increased risk of higher TyG compared to those in the lowest quartile. A significant association between higher TyG levels and the PDI was observed, except hPDI for males. In females with RAP in Q4, the risk of elevated TyG decreased by 25 %(OR = 0.75,95 %CI:0.60–0.95) compared to those with RAP in Q1, with a more pronounced effect noted among females with RAP values less than one. A similar trend was observed for hRAP. 

Conclusion: People in Northern China often consume plant-based foods, and adherence to a plant-based diet is associated with risk of elevated TyG levels. Conversely, a higher consumption of animal-based foods may mitigate this risk among women, highlighting the importance of maintaining a balanced diet.