Plant-based meat consumption and impact on heart health. What recent studies say

A study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that plant-based meat analogs (PBMA) may not be as beneficial for the cardiovascular system as real meat. The research found that people who ate a diet rich in PBMAs for eight weeks experienced no significant difference in their cardiometabolic health compared to those who ate meat.

The study suggests that not all plant-based products are created equal, and highly processed fake meat does not have the same impact on heart health as whole or minimally processed plant protein sources. The study highlights the need to improve the nutritional properties of PBMAs to ensure that consumers can enjoy both the taste and nutritional attributes of PBMAs in the future.

See also: Sodium intake and heart health. Reducing salt consumption among people with cardiovascular disease

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How it affects health

A study in Singapore of 82 prediabetic people found that replacing meat with plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) did not seem to make the participants healthier.

The researchers divided the participants into two groups, one consuming fixed amounts of beef, pork, or chicken breast, and the other consuming an assortment of plant-based meat analogs. Blood tests were performed at the beginning and end of the study to measure changes in markers of cardiometabolic health.

The study found no clear benefit for cardiometabolic health in diets that replaced animal meat with appropriate PBMAs as the primary protein source. The meat eaters actually had better blood sugar and blood pressure management than the fake meat eaters. The main takeaway is that manufacturers should make their plant-based meat products not only sustainable, but also more nutritionally beneficial than meat.

Experts who were not involved in the research said they were not shocked by the results. Recently developed plant-based meats contain additives to plant-based proteins that portend cardiovascular risks – particularly fat and sodium. The saturated fat in plant-based meats, often derived from coconut, raises LDL cholesterol, and a high-sodium diet can raise blood pressure, leading to a higher risk of heart disease, according to Health.

Should plant-based meat be avoided?

A 2023 study found that plant-based meat has a 50% lower environmental impact than animal-based meat, making it a more sustainable heart-healthy choice. The study did not find that meat-free alternatives were worse for heart health than real meat, but they were not significantly different.

However, the research is not definitive on the impact of plant-based meat on the heart due to its small and short duration. Also, the results may not apply to non-Chinese people. The research is likely to be widely applicable.

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