Impact of a Plant-Based Diet on Indices of Cardiovascular Health in African Americans

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The role of diet in preventing hypertension and cardiovascular diseases in African Americans, who have a much higher risk of developing these diseases, is not well understood. Therefore, this project will investigate whether African Americans following a 100% plant-based diet have more optimal blood pressure, vascular function, and blood lipid profiles, along with lower systemic inflammation relative to African Americans following a typical American diet.

Official Title
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The Impact of a Plant-Based Diet on Indices of Cardiovascular Health in African Americans: A Cross-Sectional Study

Conditions
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Cardiovascular Diseases, Hypertension, Diet, Healthy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Typical American Diet
* Other: Plant-Based Diet


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Self-identify as African American/Black Self-reported adherence to either a typical American diet (not following a specific diet pattern) or 100% plant-based (vegan) diet Age 18-40 Exclusion Criteria: History of smoking within 2 years or being a current smoker Taking vasoactive medications Having overt cardiovascular, metabolic, or neurological disease Pregnant individuals

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 40 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Typical American Diet<br>African American individuals who self-report adhering to a typical American diet prior to enrolling in the study. | Other: Typical American Diet<br>* Participants self-reported adherence to a typical American diet prior to enrolling in the study. This factor determined cross-sectional group allocation.<br>|
| Plant-Based Diet<br>African American individuals who self-report adhering to a plant-based diet prior to enrolling in the study. | Other: Plant-Based Diet<br>* Participants self-reported adherence to a 100% plant-based diet prior to enrolling in the study. This factor determined cross-sectional group allocation.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lipid profile (Total-C, LDL-C, VLDL-C, HDL-C, TG) |  | Day 1 | 
| C-reactive protein |  | Day 1 | 
| Post-occlusive brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (% change in brachial artery diameter from resting baseline) |  | Day 1 | 
| Post-occlusive forearm reactive hyperemia (% change in brachial artery blood velocity from resting baseline) |  | Day 1 | 
| Pulse wave velocity (carotid-to-femoral) |  | Day 1 | 
| Augmentation index (AIx@HR75) |  | Day 1 | 
| Cerebral vascular reactivity (% change in cerebrovascular conductance index from resting baseline) |  | Day 2 | 
| Local cutaneous thermal hyperemia (% change in cutaneous vascular conductance from resting baseline) |  | Day 2 | 
| Peripheral blood pressure (systolic, diastolic, mean) |  | Day 1 | 
| Central blood pressure (systolic, diastolic, mean) |  | Day 1 | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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health disparity, endothelial function, hypertension, vegan diet, Black Americans, inflammation