2. Fake salty vegetarian foods can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases
The team of researchers found that increased consumption of pre-packaged or ready-to-eat plant-based foods is associated with increased consumption of ultra-processed foods. This can lead to an increase in mortality from cardiovascular diseases. Especially when regularly consuming meat substitutes.
“The ingredients and processing methods of ultra-processed foods can increase blood pressure and cholesterol levels,” explains lead researcher Fernanda Rauber. In addition, the expert also added that food additives and industrial pollutants contained in such foods also have the potential to cause oxidative stress and inflammation, while increasing risks.
3. The fake meat vegetarian foods on the market are being advertised untruthfully.Nowadays, most fake salty vegetarian foods are advertised as being very healthy. However, Fernanda Rauber’s colleague Dr. Eszter Vamos, co-author of the study, explains: “This large-scale study shows that this type of food does not appear to have a protective effect and may even be associated with associated with adverse health effects.”
This study is also the first to show that ultra-processed vegan foods increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, experts have issued nutritional advice and encouraged vegan diets. However, experts also warn to stay away from ultra-processed foods.
Research also shows that replacing processed vegan foods with whole foods reduces deaths from cardiovascular disease by 15% and reduces the likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases by 7%. Therefore, a fresh plant-based diet has notable health and environmental benefits.