From heart health to cancer, weight control and even the environment, a vegan diet seems to get it all right, at least on paper.
However, ultra-processed plant-based foods such as packaged bakery products, cookies, margarine, potato chips and certain beverages appear to be the exception as they may actually be harmful to health, especially the heart.
There are countless scientific studies extolling the benefits of a vegan diet, which is said to be beneficial not only for the planet but also for your health in general and heart health in particular.
While it may yet to surpass the well-known Mediterranean diet, praised by health experts for its variety and low content of red meat and processed foods, plant-based diets are gaining more and more support around the world.
That’s a good thing, scientists say, but new research points to a potential downside: highly processed foods.
An international team of researchers investigated the impact of ultra-processed plant-based foods on overall health.
Their study focused on data from 118,397 participants aged 40 to 69 who took part in the UK Biobank study and were followed up for an average of nine years.
Not only was diet taken into account, but data collected from hospital admissions and death records was also subsequently considered.
The foods studied were divided into two distinct groups: foods of plant origin and foods of non-plant/animal origin.
Each group was further divided into two categories: ultra-processed and unprocessed foods.
Published in The Lancet Community Health – Europe According to the journal, research suggests there is an association between consumption of ultra-processed, plant-based foods and an increased risk of cardiovascular (heart) disease (+5%) and premature death (+12%).
The researchers note that all ultra-processed foods, regardless of their nature, are associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality.
In contrast, the scientists said they found no evidence of an association between consumption of plant-based foods and cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality.
“This study shows that dietary intake of plant-based, non-ultra-processed foods is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, whereas intake of plant-based, ultra-processed foods is associated with an increased risk.”
“It is important to note that dietary intake of all plant-based foods is not associated with cardiovascular disease risk, whereas dietary intake of all ultra-processed foods is associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk,” the study authors conclude.
While the study focuses specifically on ultra-processed, plant-based foods, it is not the first to highlight the detrimental effects of ultra-processed foods on health.
Another recent survey found that 54% of Europeans say they avoid meat alternatives because they see them as ultra-processed, not because of taste issues.
Finally, it is important to note that some of the plant-based foods in question include packaged bread and rolls, sugary drinks, and sweet and savory snacks.
According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular disease causes around 18 million deaths worldwide each year. – AFP Relaxnews
