Achi news desk-
If you are planning to turn to a vegan diet, think again because researchers, in a recent study, found that vegan products do not provide clear benefits for heart health.
The study highlights the unjustified “health aura” surrounding plant-based meat and calls on the food industry to re-evaluate the development of next-generation meat alternatives, daily mail report.
A trial involving 82 participants at risk for type 2 diabetes indicated that plant-based meat products may not offer significant health benefits over traditional meat.
The study, conducted over eight weeks, divided the participants into two dietary groups: one consuming regular meat and the other plant-based alternatives such as Impossible Beef and Beyond Meat.
Initial and subsequent blood tests assessed the volunteers’ cardiometabolic health, along with real-time blood sugar monitoring.
The findings, published in American Journal of Clinical Nutritionrevealed that there were no significant differences in the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease between the two groups.
While dietary cholesterol levels decreased in both groups, those who consumed plant-based meat experienced a 42.5% increase in sodium intake, in contrast to their meat-eating counterparts who saw a decrease.
In addition, moderate improvements in blood pressure were noted only in the meat-eating group.
Dr Sumento Halder, lecturer in nutritional science at Bournemouth University and co-author of the study, criticized the current generation of plant-based meats for being highly processed and often loaded with salt, saturated fat and additives.
He emphasized the need for the food industry to innovate and produce healthier and more affordable meat alternatives that better match the known health benefits of a traditional plant-based diet consisting of whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables.
According to him, “This gives impetus to the food industry to reevaluate the development of the next generation of alternative meat products, so that they are not only tasty, but also have improved nutritional properties and will be more convenient for the entire population.”
Disclaimer: This may not work for everyone. Consult your doctor before trying this.
