Researchers studied over 3,000 older adults with kidney disease to see if eating more plant-based foods could reduce the number of medications they need to take. They found that people who followed a plant-forward diet took about 8% fewer medications overall compared to those who ate less plant-based food. The study also found that people eating more plants were less likely to use certain stomach medications and pain relievers. While these results are promising, the researchers note that more studies are needed to prove that changing your diet actually causes you to need fewer medications.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether eating more plant-based foods (like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans) is connected to taking fewer prescription medications in older people with kidney disease.
  • Who participated: 3,161 adults aged 65 and older who have chronic kidney disease. The average age was 75 years old. The data came from a large national health survey conducted between 2003 and 2018.
  • Key finding: People who ate the most plant-based foods took about 8% fewer medications than those who ate the least plant-based foods. For every 10-point increase in their plant-based diet score, people took 3% fewer medications on average.
  • What it means for you: Eating more plant-based foods may help reduce the number of medications older adults with kidney disease need to take, which could mean fewer side effects and easier medication management. However, this study shows a connection, not proof that changing your diet will definitely reduce your medications. Always talk to your doctor before making major diet changes or stopping any medications.

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers looked at information from a large group of people at one point in time rather than following them over months or years. The researchers used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a well-known government health study that has been collecting information about Americans’ health and eating habits since the 1960s.

The researchers looked at people aged 65 and older who had chronic kidney disease. They measured how plant-based each person’s diet was using something called the Planetary Health Diet Index (PHDI), which scores diets from 0 to 150 based on how much plant-based food people eat and how sustainable their food choices are. They also counted how many prescription medications each person was taking and what types of medications they used.

The researchers used statistical methods to see if there was a connection between how plant-based someone’s diet was and how many medications they took, while accounting for other factors that might affect medication use, like age, exercise, smoking, and other health conditions.

This research approach is important because older adults with kidney disease often take many medications, which can lead to problems like side effects, drug interactions, and difficulty remembering to take all their pills. If eating more plant-based foods could naturally reduce the need for some medications, it could improve quality of life and safety for this group. The cross-sectional design allows researchers to look at a large, representative group of real people, making the findings more relevant to everyday life than laboratory studies.

This study has several strengths: it included over 3,000 participants from a nationally representative survey, so the results likely apply to many older Americans; the researchers adjusted their analysis for many other factors that could affect medication use; and the data came from a reliable government health survey. However, because this is a cross-sectional study, it shows a connection between diet and medications but cannot prove that eating more plants actually causes people to need fewer medications. People who eat more plant-based foods might also exercise more, have better overall health habits, or have different health conditions—any of which could affect medication use. The study also relied on people remembering what they ate, which can be inaccurate.

What the Results Show

The main finding was that people who ate the most plant-based foods took significantly fewer medications than those who ate the least plant-based foods. Specifically, people in the highest plant-based diet group took 8% fewer medications overall compared to those in the lowest group. When researchers looked at the numbers differently, they found that for every 10-point increase in the plant-based diet score (out of 150), people took 3% fewer medications on average.

The study also looked at specific types of medications. People with higher plant-based diet scores were much less likely to take proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which are medications used to reduce stomach acid and treat heartburn. People in the highest plant-based diet group had 34% lower odds of taking these stomach medications compared to those in the lowest group. The study also found a trend toward fewer people taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, like ibuprofen), though this finding was not as strong.

These associations remained true even after the researchers accounted for many other factors that could affect medication use, such as age, sex, race, education, income, exercise habits, smoking status, and various health conditions. This suggests that the connection between plant-based eating and fewer medications is not simply because healthier people tend to eat more plants.

While the study focused on overall medication burden and stomach/pain medications, the findings suggest that eating more plant-based foods might help improve the health conditions that require medications in the first place. Since people eating more plants took fewer medications, this implies their underlying health conditions (like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or inflammation) may have been better controlled. The study also showed that the benefits appeared across different groups of people, suggesting the findings might apply broadly to older adults with kidney disease.

This study builds on previous research showing that plant-based diets are good for heart and metabolic health. Earlier studies have shown that plant-based eating can help lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels—all conditions that typically require medications. This new research extends those findings by showing that in older adults with kidney disease specifically, eating more plant-based foods is connected with taking fewer medications overall. The findings align with the growing body of evidence that dietary changes can sometimes reduce the need for certain medications, though most previous research has focused on younger or healthier populations.

This study has several important limitations to keep in mind. First, it shows a connection between plant-based eating and fewer medications, but it cannot prove that changing your diet will cause you to need fewer medications. People who eat more plant-based foods might differ in many other ways that affect medication use. Second, the study relied on people remembering what they ate over two days, which may not accurately represent their typical eating patterns. Third, the study only included people aged 65 and older with kidney disease, so the results may not apply to younger people or those without kidney disease. Finally, the researchers could not determine whether doctors prescribed fewer medications because patients improved their health through diet, or whether people who were already healthier chose to eat more plant-based foods.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, older adults with kidney disease may benefit from eating more plant-based foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, and nuts. However, this should be done carefully and under medical supervision, especially for people with kidney disease who may need to limit certain nutrients like potassium and phosphorus. The evidence suggests this approach may help reduce medication burden, but it is not a substitute for prescribed medications. Anyone considering major dietary changes should discuss them with their doctor or a registered dietitian, especially before making any changes to their medications. The confidence level for these findings is moderate—the study shows a clear connection, but more research is needed to prove cause and effect.

This research is most relevant to older adults (65 and older) who have chronic kidney disease and take multiple medications. It may also be of interest to their doctors, nurses, and dietitians who help manage their care. Family members and caregivers of older adults with kidney disease may also find this information helpful. However, people without kidney disease should not assume these findings apply to them, as kidney disease affects how the body processes nutrients and medications. Anyone with kidney disease should work with their healthcare team before making dietary changes, as certain plant-based foods may not be appropriate for people with kidney disease due to high potassium or phosphorus content.

If someone were to increase their plant-based food intake, they would likely not see changes in medication needs immediately. Based on similar research, it typically takes several weeks to months of consistent dietary changes to see improvements in health conditions like blood pressure or cholesterol. Any changes to medications should only be made by a doctor, not by the person taking them. It’s important to have realistic expectations—dietary changes support overall health but are not a quick fix for complex conditions like kidney disease.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily servings of plant-based foods (vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds) and compare weekly totals to medication count. Users can log meals and the app can calculate a simple plant-based score, then correlate it with their medication list (entered with doctor approval) to see if patterns emerge over 8-12 weeks.
  • Start by adding one plant-based meal or snack per day (like a vegetable-based lunch or a fruit snack) and gradually increase plant-based portions at existing meals. For people with kidney disease, the app should include guidance on appropriate plant-based foods that fit kidney-friendly restrictions, with reminders to discuss dietary changes with their healthcare provider before making them.
  • Weekly check-ins to log plant-based food intake and any changes in how the user feels (energy levels, digestion, symptoms). Monthly reviews comparing plant-based diet consistency to medication lists and health markers (if available through connected health devices). The app should include reminders to share this information with their doctor at regular appointments to discuss whether medication adjustments might be appropriate.

This research shows a connection between eating more plant-based foods and taking fewer medications in older adults with kidney disease, but it does not prove that changing your diet will reduce your medications. This study is not a substitute for medical advice. If you have chronic kidney disease, you should work closely with your doctor or registered dietitian before making significant dietary changes, as certain plant-based foods may not be appropriate for your specific kidney condition due to their potassium, phosphorus, or sodium content. Never stop taking prescribed medications or change your medication routine without explicit guidance from your healthcare provider. The findings from this single study should be considered alongside other medical evidence and your individual health situation. Always consult with your healthcare team before making major lifestyle or dietary changes.