They are said to be low in fat, good for cholesterol, and overall a healthier option than the real thing.
But a new trial suggests that fake plant-based meat products aren’t actually a nutritious option 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 rich in fake meats such as Beyond and Impossible burgers for eight weeks had higher blood sugar levels than those who ate real meat.
This puts them at higher risk of developing heart disease and diabetes in the future, the authors wrote.
Plant-based meats are typically high in carbs and low in protein compared to animal meats, which could make them less healthy for you, studies show.
Previous studies have found that 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.
Recent years have seen a rise in fake meats, including popular substitutes like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods.
Global revenues for plant-based meat companies were approximately $10 billion in 2023, more than double the $4.66 billion they were worth in 2018, according to to statesman.
In 2022, Beyond Meat, which sells plant-based sausages and burgers, added $418.9 million and Impossible Foods brought $460 million.
Over time, high blood sugar can damage the blood vessels and nerves leading to the heart, which can cause heart disease.
But these highly processed products are incredibly high in saturated fat and salt, wrote Emily Gelsomin, senior clinical nutrition specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital, for Harvard Health Publications.
“Since diets high in saturated fat are associated with higher rates of heart disease and premature death, they may not be the type to opt for if your ambitions are purely health-related,” Gelsomin said.
Despite this, around 40 percent of those who choose plant-based alternatives do so for the purported health benefits, according to one study. survey 2021 of the International Food Information Council.
The new studyConducted by scientists at the National University of Singapore, it included 89 Singaporeans at increased risk of type 2 diabetes and divided them into two groups.
For eight weeks, half of the participants ate their usual diet containing meat, while the other half swapped the meat they would normally choose for fake alternatives.
Participants chose ultra-processed plant products from several popular brands, including Impossible Beef, Omni Foods, Vegetarian Butcher, Beyond Meat and The Vegetarian Butcher.
The researchers conducted 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 scientists had a complete picture of the impact on blood sugar in real time.
After two months, there were no differences 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 that this may be due to carbohydrates in the form of additives added to fake meat products, which can increase blood glucose.
Some popular fast food places, like Burger King, have started offering plant-based meat products as the foods have become more popular.
Meat eaters also had lower blood sodium levels than people who ate plant-based meat diets.
Over time, high blood sugar can lead to diabetes. It can also damage blood vessels and nerves, which can cause you to develop heart disease. according to the NIH.
Previous research has also identified nutritional differences between real and processed meats.
A 2022 study by Australian nutritionists found that one serving of plant-based minced meat contained more than 2,000 mg of salt, which almost exceeds the recommended daily allowance of 2,300 mg and could mean blood pressure problems.
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 those of a study from the Poznań University of Medical Sciences in Poland, which found increases in blood sugar spikes in people consuming diets rich in ultra-processed fake meat.
Given these results, there may be pressure on these companies to improve their product in the future. Priyom Bose, a plant biologist, wrote for Medical Network News.
“The results documented here provide stimulus and motivation for the food industry to research and develop the next generation of PBMAs with increased nutritional attributes and bioaccessibility,” Bose said.