Though there are environmental and health benefits linked to plant-based diets, a new study shows that the consumption of ultra-processed vegan food could increase heart disease-related death risk.
The study emphasizes that while a vegan diet is good, it is only beneficial if it covers fresh plant-based foods like legumes, whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.
Ultra-Processed Vegan Food
Ultra-processed foods refer to packed drinks, goods, cereals, and ready-to-eat foods that contain additives, such as flavors, emulsifiers, and colors. These foods typically have a high saturated fat, salt, and sugar content. They also tend to lack fiber and vitamins.
Researchers from the University of Sao Paulo and Imperial College London looked into the diets of over 118,000 Britons who were 40 to 69 years of age.
The researchers found that plant-based diets are good for the heart, but only if they cover plant-based foods that are fresh, such as legumes, whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.
Fake Vegan Food Could Increase Risk of Death Due to Heart Disease
The scientists found that for every 10% plant-based food increase, heart disease-related death risk declined by 20%.
However, if the plant-based food increase was sourced from ultra-processed foods, it was found to increase heart disease-related death risk by 12%.
Findings were documented in the "Implications of food ultra-processing on cardiovascular risk considering plant origin foods: an analysis of the UK Biobank cohort" study.
Fernanda Rauber, the study's lead author, noted that ultra-processed goods' processing methods and composition could result in higher cholesterol and blood pressure.
She noted that the industrial contaminants and food additives that are present in such foods could lead to inflammation and oxidative stress. These could end up aggravating the risks further.
Hence, individuals who opt for plant-based foods should also take the degree of processing into consideration before they decide.
Dr. Eszter Vamos, a study co-author, stressed that there is deceptive marketing as well as public perception regarding how plant-based products could be healthy options.
She noted that though ultra-processed foods typically get marketed as healthy, the study suggests that plant-based or vegan ultra-processed foods apparently do not have protective effects for health. These products are also associated with poorer outcomes for health.
The study also discovered that swapping vegan ultra-processed foods for whole foods could decrease heart disease-related deaths by up to 15%. This also reduced cardiovascular disease risk by 7%.
According to the researchers, this study is the first to reveal that plant-based ultra-processed foods could increase cardiovascular disease risk.
Based on such results, the study authors urge nutritional guidelines that promote vegan diets to also warn against ultra-processed foods.
The findings stress the cardiovascular risks associated with the consumption of popular meat alternatives. However, independent scientists note that half of the ultra-processed foods that were used in the study were plant-based pastries and breads.
Dietitian Duane Mellor, who is also the spokesperson of the British Dietetic Association, said that several foods that do not have animal products, such as biscuits, soft drinks, and confectionery, are considered plant-based. However, they are not considered part of a healthy diet by most people.
Mellor also emphasized how important it is to have a balanced diet that is rich in whole foods, such as legumes, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts. It is crucial to stress that just because some foods and drinks are classified as plant-based does not mean that they are beneficial for health.
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