Eating fake meat products, such as burgers made with lab-engineered ingredients, could increase your chance of developing depression, new research suggests.
The scientists compared the mental health symptoms of vegetarians who eat plant-based meat alternatives with those who do not.
The results, published in the medical journal Food Frontiers, revealed that those who ate meat substitutes were 42 percent more likely to suffer from depression compared to those who did not.
The authors, who described these findings as “concerning,” also noted that the fake meat eaters had higher blood pressure and more inflammation, according to blood test results.
They suggest the link between convenience foods and mental health problems may be due to inflammation in the body, which is thought to interfere with feel-good chemicals in the brain.
However, researchers say more studies are needed to identify why plant-based meat eaters were more likely to be depressed.
Researchers at the University of Surrey analyzed data from the UK Biobank, which tracks health data on more than 500,000 people.
Of the participants, there were 3,342 people eligible to be studied and about two-thirds of all participants were women.
Plant-based meats have been linked to an increased risk of depression, according to UK researchers
Plant-based meats, used to make ‘fake’ burgers and sausages, are considered an ultra-processed food (UPF) due to the large amount of additives used, such as preservatives and flavourings.
Ultra-processed foods also typically contain a high level of calories, sugar, saturated fat, and salt.
However, the researchers found that there were no notable differences in nutrient intake between vegetarians who ate alternative meats and those who did not.
However, researchers found that those who ate plant-based meats had higher blood pressure and higher levels of C-reactive protein, which is a marker of inflammation.
They also had lower levels of apolipoprotein A, which is associated with “good” cholesterol, or HDL.
However, plant-based meat eaters were 40 percent less likely to have irritable bowel syndrome.
Professor Nophar Geifman, from the University of Surrey’s School of Health Sciences and lead author of the study, said: “The overall findings are reassuring and suggest that plant-based meat alternatives may be a safe option when forming part of a balanced diet in general.
“However, the possible link between these types of foods, inflammation and depression deserves further investigation.”
Professor Anthony Whetton, co-author of the study from the University of Surrey’s School of Veterinary Medicine, said:
‘Alternatives to ultra-processed plant-based meat can be a useful way for people to effectively transition to a vegetarian diet, and that helps with sustainable farming practices. More research, including longitudinal studies and trials with more diverse populations, is needed to confirm these findings and the relationship between vegetarian foods and mood.’
The findings come months after a group of international scientists found that opting for ultra-processed vegetarian options, such as fake burgers and sausages, is linked to a 15 percent increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
People who ate a lot of ultra-processed plant-based foods had a 7 percent higher risk of conditions such as blocked heart vessels and a 15 percent higher risk of dying compared to vegetarians whose diets contained less.
Increasing consumption of unprocessed vegetarian foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, by 10 percent was associated with an 8 percent lower risk of heart disease.
Deaths from heart disease were reduced by a fifth among vegetarians who consumed the least amount of UPF and by 13 percent in cardiovascular diseases overall, caused by the buildup of fatty deposits within the arteries.
Scientists suggested that food additives and industrial contaminants present in these foods could cause oxidative stress and inflammation, triggering heart problems.
Consumers can expect to see a greater presence of fake meat on supermarket shelves next month.
Every year, around 700,000 people pledge to give up meat for the new year, known as going “vegan.”
To meet the additional demand, supermarkets are promoting meat-free alternatives throughout the month through special offers and new products.