Your attempt to reduce the findings to just a BMI effect demonstrates a misunderstanding of epidemiological research methods and statistical adjustment. The claim that BMI is probably the primary predictor rather than diet is incorrect because: - The study's statistical analyses adjusted for confounding factors including BMI - The researchers specifically isolated dietary patterns as independent variables - The risk reductions remained significant even after these adjustments The research demonstrates clear, independent associations between vegan diets and health outcomes: - Vegan males showed a 42% reduction in CVD mortality compared to non-vegetarians - Vegan males had a 55% risk reduction for ischemic heart disease specifically - These effects were stronger than those seen in lacto-ovo-vegetarians, suggesting a dose-response relationship with animal product avoidance The study's methodology was particularly robust, featuring: - Large sample size (over 96,000 participants) - Prospective design - Clear dietary pattern definitions - Appropriate statistical controls - Multiple cohorts showing consistent results The study's statistical methods specifically isolated dietary effects from BMI effects, demonstrating that vegan diets reduce cardiovascular risk independently of body weight differences. Reference: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/6/6/2131