The researchers investigated the health effects of a range of ultra-processed “plant-based” foods and confirmed the findings of other studies linking processed foods to health problems.
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A growing body of research is finding links between ultra-processed foods (UPF) and an increased risk of health problems such as obesity, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
A research team from the University of São Paulo in Brazil and Imperial College London in the UK specifically looked at the impact of highly processed “plant-based” foods on the risk of cardiovascular disease.
They analysed data from UK Biobank, about 120,000 people with an average age of 55.
The risk was reduced by including more unprocessed plant-based foods in the diet, such as fruits, vegetables, cereals and nuts.
A 10 percent increase in these components was associated with a 7 percent reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and an 8 percent reduced risk of coronary heart disease.
However, consumption of non-animal-derived ultra-processed foods was associated with a 5% increased risk of cardiovascular disease and a 12% higher mortality rate.
UPF is also commonly associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality.
“This is another strong piece of evidence urging people to reduce their consumption of ultra-processed foods, whether of animal or plant origin,” Dr Renata Levy, one of the study's authors and a professor at the University of São Paulo, said in a statement.
What ultra-processed foods were included in the study?
The study looked at a wide range of ultra-processed foods, including industrially produced breads, pastries, biscuits and cakes. Meat alternatives accounted for just 0.2% of the plant-based UPF.
Dr Hilda Mulroney, a lecturer in nutrition and health at London Metropolitan University, said in a statement that the study was “impressive in terms of its size and the range of statistical methods it used to demonstrate effects”.
But she pointed out that “the biggest contributors to highly processed plant foods are not meat substitutes but breads, pastries, rolls, cakes and biscuits, and many meat eaters also eat these products, so these are not good indicators of a plant-based diet.”
“This study is limited to showing an association but cannot prove causation,” she added.
Several experts also pointed out that the study relied on the NOVA classification system, which categorizes foods according to their degree of transformation, and did not take into account the nutritional content of foods.
“Excessive consumption of any one food group is likely to create imbalances and we are much more concerned about healthy foods becoming more affordable. Cost of living pressures mean consuming lower quality foods is the only option for many people,” Mulroney added.
