They’re said to be low in fat, good for cholesterol and an overall healthier choice than the real deal.
But a new trial suggests that plant-based fake meat products are not in fact a nutritious choice – and could increase the risk of heart disease.
The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that people who ate a diet high in fake meats like Beyond burgers and Impossible burgers for eight weeks had higher blood sugars than those who ate real meat.
This puts them at higher risk for developing heart disease and diabetes down the line, the authors wrote.
Plant based meats are often high in carbohydrates and low in protein compared to animal meats, which could make them less healthy for you, studies found
Previous studies have found eating a plant-based diet can reduce the risk of developing diabetes by 25 percent.
However, the researchers of the new trial have highlighted that these studies involve people who eat whole foods – rather than ultra-processed products.
The past few years has seen the rise of fake meats- including popular substitutes like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods.
The global revenue of plant based meat companies was roughly $10 billion in 2023, more than double the $4.66 billion it was worth in 2018 according to Statista.
In 2022, Beyond Meat – which sells plant-based sausages and burger patties – brought in $418.9 million and Impossible Foods brought in $460 million.
Over time, high blood sugar can damage the blood vessels and nerves that lead to your heart, which can cause heart disease
But these highly-processed products are incredibly high in saturated fats and salt Emily Gelsomin, a senior clinical nutrition specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital, wrote for Harvard Health Publishing.
‘Since diets higher in saturated fat are associated with increased rates of both heart disease and premature death, they may not be the type to opt for if your ambitions are purely health-relate’ Gelsomin said.
Despite this, around 40 percent of those who choose plant-based alternatives do so for the purported health benefits, according to a 2021 survey from the International Food Information Council.
The new study, by scientists at the National University of Singapore, included 89 Singaporeans with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes – and split them into two groups.
Over eight weeks, half the participants ate their regular meat-containing diet, while the other half swapped meat they’d usually choose for fake alternatives.
Participants chose ultra-processed plant-based products from a number of popular brands including Impossible Beef, Omni Foods, the Vegetarian Butcher, Beyond Meat and The Vegetarian Butcher.
Researchers took blood tests at the beginning and end of the experience to monitor changes in sodium and cholesterol – high amounts of which can damage arteries and cause heart disease.
Participants also wore a continuous glucose monitor throughout the experiment so the scientists had a full picture of the impact on blood sugars in real time.
After two months, there was no difference between cholesterol in the two groups. However, those who ate meat had more stable blood sugar, meaning they had a lower risk of full-blown diabetes.
The researchers suggested this may be due to carbohydrates in the form of additives added to the fake meat products, which can spike blood glucose.
Some popular fast food locations, like Burger King, have begun offering plant based meat products, as the food items have gotten more popular
The meat eaters also had lower blood levels of sodium than people who ate plant-based meat diets.
Over time, high blood sugar can lead to developing diabetes. It can also damage your blood vessels, and nerves, which can cause you to develop heart disease, according to the NIH.
Previous research has also pinpointed nutritional differences between real and make meats.
One 2022 study from Australian nutritionists found that one serving of plant-based mince meat contained more than 2,000 mg of salt, which almost tops out your daily recommended amount of 2,300 mg, and could spell problems for blood pressure.
The researchers said the products seemed to get saltier year after year.
The level of sodium in plant-based meats on grocery store shelves was found to have increased since 2019
The new findings echo that of a study from Poznań University of Medical Sciences in Poland, which found increased blood sugar spikes in people who eat diets high in ultra-processed fake meat.
With these results in mind, there may be pressure on these companies to improve their product in the future, Priyom Bose, a plant biologist, wrote for News Medical Net.
‘The results documented here provide a stimulus and motivation for the food industry to research and develop the next generation of PBMAs with greater nutritional attributes and bioaccessibility’ Bose said.
Source: Mail Online
