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Roland Azar reports on the results of a new study which compared a vegan diet to the oft-lauded Mediterranean diet and provides further support for the nutritional adequacy and environmental sustainability of plant-based diets.

Peer-Reviewed Study Shows Vegan Diet Equals Mediterranean in Nutrition, Excels in Sustainability
From Roland Azar, MiddleEastVeganSociety.org
November 2025

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A new peer-reviewed study published in Frontiers in Nutrition by researchers from the University of Granada and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) has confirmed that a well-planned vegan diet can be nutritionally adequate and comparable to the Mediterranean diet. Importantly, the study also highlights the vegan diet’s environmental advantages, showing that it can dramatically reduce carbon emissions, land use, and water consumption, making it both a healthy and sustainable choice.

The research team designed four theoretical weekly menu models, each providing around 2,000 calories per day. These included the traditional Mediterranean diet, a semi-vegetarian diet that incorporates fish, an ovo-lacto vegetarian diet that includes eggs and dairy, and a strict vegan diet. Their analysis showed that the vegan diet met nutritional requirements when carefully planned, with supplementation recommended for vitamin B12, vitamin D, and iodine.

Beyond nutrition, the study highlighted the environmental advantages of the vegan diet. Compared to the Mediterranean diet, the vegan model reduced carbon emissions by nearly half, cut land use by one-third, and lowered water use by about 7 percent. These findings are particularly relevant for regions like the Middle East, where water scarcity and climate change pose significant challenges.

The Mediterranean diet has long been praised for its reliance on whole, nutrient-rich foods such as vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains. This new research shows that vegan diets can achieve similar nutritional adequacy while offering greater ecological benefits. With plant-based foods already central to many Middle Eastern cuisines, from lentils and chickpeas to tahini and tabbouleh, the transition to veganism can build on existing culinary traditions.

As a peer-reviewed and recently published study, this work provides strong scientific backing for organizations and individuals promoting plant-based lifestyles. It reinforces the message that vegan diets are not only nutritionally sound but also a powerful tool for reducing environmental strain.

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Posted on All-Creatures: December 1, 2025
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We began this archive as a means of assisting our visitors in answering many of their health and diet questions, and in encouraging them to take a proactive part in their own health. We believe the articles and information contained herein are true, but are not presenting them as advice. We, personally, have found that a whole food vegan diet has helped our own health, and simply wish to share with others the things we have found. Each of us must make our own decisions, for it's our own body. If you have a health problem, see your own physician.