Study finds plant-based meat products show no ‘clear benefit’ for heart health
By
Seia Ibanez
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Veganism has surged recently, with many considering plant-based diets for health, ethical concerns, and environmental impact.
The market has responded with several meat alternatives, promising the taste and texture of meat without animal products.
But are these vegan meat alternatives really the healthier option they're touted to be?
A recent study has cast doubt on this assumption, suggesting that some plant-based meat products may be just as loaded with salt and fat as their animal-based counterparts.
The study, conducted by researchers and published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found no 'clear benefit’ for heart health.
These individuals seemingly had worse blood pressure than those who ate traditional meat.
This has led experts to question the 'health halo' that often surrounds plant-based meats and to call for the food industry to re-evaluate the development of these products.
Dr Sumanto Haldar, a Lecturer in Nutrition Science at Bournemouth University and a co-author of the study, pointed out, ‘At present, producing these plant-based meat alternatives often involves a substantial amount of processing.’
‘The end products can be high in salt, saturated fat and additives in order to match the taste and texture of real meat products.'
'It is clear there are still a lot of opportunities for improvements in plant-based meat analogues in the market in order to justify perceptions of superior health benefits of these products.
'As it stands, the plant-based meat alternatives currently available do not offer same health advantages as a traditional plant-based diet, generally consisting of whole foods such as whole grains, legumes and a plethora of fruits and vegetables,’ he added.
'This gives an impetus for the food industry to re-evaluate the development of the next generation of meat alternative products so that they not only taste good but also have improved nutritional attributes and are more affordable for the entire population.'
The study involved 82 participants at risk of type 2 diabetes, who were split into two groups: one consuming a carnivorous diet and the other a plant-based diet with meat alternatives from brands like Impossible Beef, Omni Foods, the Vegetarian Butcher, and Beyond Meat.
Despite the expectation that plant-based diets would lead to better heart health, the study found no clear effects on classical cardiovascular disease risk factors between the animal-based meat diet and plant-based meat groups.
Interestingly, dietary cholesterol levels fell in both groups, but sodium intake spiked by 42.5 per cent among those consuming fake meats, and 'modest improvements' in blood pressure were noted only in the meat-eaters.
'These findings suggest that despite the well-documented health benefits of traditional plant-based diets, their health benefits should not be conflated with plant-based meat diets,’ researchers said.
These findings suggested that the health benefits of traditional plant-based diets, which typically include whole foods like grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables, should not be conflated with diets high in processed plant-based meats.
In a previous story, another research suggested that more plants in our diet can have health benefits, including longevity, lower body weight, and a reduced risk of chronic diseases.
However, not all alternatives are made equally. You can read more about the story here.
Have you tried plant-based meat alternatives, and what has your experience been? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
The market has responded with several meat alternatives, promising the taste and texture of meat without animal products.
But are these vegan meat alternatives really the healthier option they're touted to be?
A recent study has cast doubt on this assumption, suggesting that some plant-based meat products may be just as loaded with salt and fat as their animal-based counterparts.
The study, conducted by researchers and published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found no 'clear benefit’ for heart health.
These individuals seemingly had worse blood pressure than those who ate traditional meat.
This has led experts to question the 'health halo' that often surrounds plant-based meats and to call for the food industry to re-evaluate the development of these products.
Dr Sumanto Haldar, a Lecturer in Nutrition Science at Bournemouth University and a co-author of the study, pointed out, ‘At present, producing these plant-based meat alternatives often involves a substantial amount of processing.’
‘The end products can be high in salt, saturated fat and additives in order to match the taste and texture of real meat products.'
'It is clear there are still a lot of opportunities for improvements in plant-based meat analogues in the market in order to justify perceptions of superior health benefits of these products.
'As it stands, the plant-based meat alternatives currently available do not offer same health advantages as a traditional plant-based diet, generally consisting of whole foods such as whole grains, legumes and a plethora of fruits and vegetables,’ he added.
'This gives an impetus for the food industry to re-evaluate the development of the next generation of meat alternative products so that they not only taste good but also have improved nutritional attributes and are more affordable for the entire population.'
The study involved 82 participants at risk of type 2 diabetes, who were split into two groups: one consuming a carnivorous diet and the other a plant-based diet with meat alternatives from brands like Impossible Beef, Omni Foods, the Vegetarian Butcher, and Beyond Meat.
Despite the expectation that plant-based diets would lead to better heart health, the study found no clear effects on classical cardiovascular disease risk factors between the animal-based meat diet and plant-based meat groups.
Interestingly, dietary cholesterol levels fell in both groups, but sodium intake spiked by 42.5 per cent among those consuming fake meats, and 'modest improvements' in blood pressure were noted only in the meat-eaters.
'These findings suggest that despite the well-documented health benefits of traditional plant-based diets, their health benefits should not be conflated with plant-based meat diets,’ researchers said.
These findings suggested that the health benefits of traditional plant-based diets, which typically include whole foods like grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables, should not be conflated with diets high in processed plant-based meats.
In a previous story, another research suggested that more plants in our diet can have health benefits, including longevity, lower body weight, and a reduced risk of chronic diseases.
However, not all alternatives are made equally. You can read more about the story here.
Key Takeaways
- An experiment suggests that going vegan and consuming plant-based meat products may not offer clear benefits for heart health.
- Plant-based meat alternatives, such as fake sausages, burgers, and mince, contain high levels of salt and saturated fat and could contribute to worse blood pressure than traditional meat.
- Experts have critiqued the 'health halo' of plant-based meats and have called for the food industry to develop healthier and more nutritional meat alternatives.
- The study showed no significant difference in cardiovascular disease risk factors between participants consuming plant-based meat and those consuming animal-based meat, suggesting that current plant-based meat alternatives do not provide the same health advantages as a traditional plant-based diet rich in whole foods.