Processed plant-based meat alternatives linked to depression risk in vegetarians

There is increasing evidence that ultra-processed foods (UPF) are bad for our health; but if you follow a vegetarian diet, is that still the case? Plant-based meat alternatives (PBMA) are considered ultra-processed foods and may be linked to similar harms.

In the first study of its kind, published in Food limitsResearchers from the University of Surrey found that vegetarians who consumed PBMAs had a 42% increased risk of depression compared to vegetarians who abstained from PBMAs.

The study, led by Hana Navratilova, analyzed data from the UK Biobank and found no notable differences in the intake of sodium, free sugar, total sugar or saturated fatty acids between vegetarians who ate PBMAs and those who did not.

However, the researchers found that those who ate PBMAs had higher blood pressure and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, a marker of inflammation, and lower levels of apolipoprotein A, a protein associated with HDL, a “good” cholesterol; However, PBMA consumption was also associated with a reduced risk of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by 40%.

Professor Nophar Geifman, from the University of Surrey’s School of Health Sciences, and senior author of the study, said: “The overall findings are reassuring and suggest that plant-based meat alternatives could be a safe option if they are part of a diet. The potential link However, between these foods, inflammation, and depression warrants further investigation.”

The study posed some limitations due to the data collected, which came mainly from a white population in Britain, and nutritional information collected only at the beginning of the study, which did not take into account possible changes over the course of the time.

Professor Anthony Whetton, co-author of the study from the University of Surrey’s School of Veterinary Medicine, said: “Ultra-processed plant-based meat alternatives could be a useful way for people to effectively transition to a vegetarian diet, helping to achieve sustainable agricultural practices. Further research, including longitudinal studies and trials with more diverse populations, is needed to confirm these findings and the relationship between vegetarian foods and mood.”