Plant-based meat is often touted for its heart-healthy benefits, but new research suggests American Journal of Clinical Nutrition It shows that it may not be better for your cardiovascular system than the real thing.
In this study, people who ate a diet high in plant-based meat analogs (PBMA) over an eight-week period showed significant differences in cardiometabolic health compared to those who ate meat during that period. It turns out there wasn’t. PBMA included products from popular brands such as Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat.
High meat intake has long been associated with an increased risk of heart disease. On the other hand, plant-based diets are associated with improved heart health; This research suggests that not all plant-based products are created equal.
Specifically, highly processed synthetic meats do not appear to have the same impact on heart health as whole or minimally processed plant protein sources, said the study’s senior author, Singapore. said Dr. Jeya Henry of the Institute for Food Biotechnology Innovation (SIFBI). health.
“Consumers often assume that the health benefits of a plant-based diet (rich in legumes, whole grains, nuts, and fruit) are the same as consuming plant-based meat analogs.” he said in an email. “Our study clearly demonstrates the need to improve the nutritional properties of PBMA so that consumers can enjoy both the taste and nutritional properties of PBMA in the future.”
The researchers recruited 82 pre-diabetic soldiers in Singapore, all of whom were Chinese. The participants ranged in age from 30 to 70, and none were vegan or vegetarian.
The team divided participants into two groups. Over eight weeks, one group ate a set amount of beef, pork, or chicken breast. The other group ate products from Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat, as well as an assortment of plant-based meat analogs from Omnifoods and The Vegetarian Butcher.
The researchers conducted blood tests at the beginning and end of the study to measure changes in markers of cardiometabolic health. Some participants wore blood glucose monitors continuously for eight weeks.
Scientists found that replacing meat with PBMA did not appear to improve the health of participants.
Changes in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (‘bad’ cholesterol), HDL cholesterol (‘good’ cholesterol), and triglycerides were similar between the two groups of people. Additionally, those who ate meat had better blood sugar and blood pressure control than those who ate fake meat, said study author Dr Darrell Wee Kiat To, a nutrition scientist at the Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation. Told. health.
“Diets replacing animal-based meat with the corresponding PBMA as the main protein source did not derive any clear cardiometabolic health benefits,” Toh said.
The key takeaway, Toh said, is that brands need to make plant-based meat products not only sustainable, but also more nutritionally beneficial than eating meat. “It is critical for the food industry to re-evaluate the development of the next generation of alternative protein foods that are nutritious and affordable for everyone,” he said.
Experts not involved in the study said they were not shocked by the results.
“Given the types of products they tested, I’m not surprised at all,” said Dr. Sean Heffron, a cardiologist at NYU Langone Heart Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention. health. “Recently developed plant-based meats contain plant-based proteins, especially fat and sodium, which portend cardiovascular risks.”
The saturated fat found in plant-based meats (often from coconut) increases LDL cholesterol. A diet high in sodium can also increase blood pressure and increase your risk of heart disease.
Dr. Ahmed Ansari, a cardiologist at Memorial Hermann Health System, agreed that many PBMDs contain additives that can offset their health benefits.
Before you ditch your meatless burgers, keep in mind that this study doesn’t necessarily mean that meatless alternatives are worse for heart health than real meat, they just aren’t that different. please.
It’s also important to remember that this study likely won’t be the final word on how plant-based meat affects the heart.
That’s because the study was small and short-lived, Ansari said, making it difficult to know for sure how these foods affected people. There are also questions about whether the findings apply to people of non-Chinese descent, but Heffron said there is no reason to doubt that the study is not broadly applicable. “I’ve certainly seen it anecdotally in my own patients,” he added.
Even if a meat-free product doesn’t give you the heart health benefits you were hoping for, there are always circumstances to consider. A 2023 study found that plant-based meat has an average 50% lower environmental impact than animal meat, making it a much more sustainable option.
