AsianScientist (Jul. 17, 2019) – Shifting to a plant-based diet instead of meat has consistently been shown to lower the risks of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. But a recent study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that switching to plant-based meat analogues (PBMA)—which mimic the taste and texture of animal-based meat—might not be as beneficial for improving heart and metabolic health.
Restricting meat consumption entirely can be challenging due to its deep roots in history, culture and societal norms. Combined with concerns about sustainability, animal welfare and the perceived health benefits of plant-based diets, PBMAs have received growing popularity around the world.
With more shoppers reaching for meat substitute products at grocery stores, scientists emphasize the need to understand the health impacts of this dietary shift. Thus, the current study, led by researchers from the Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation, aimed to clarify whether adopting PBMAs as the main protein source provides any benefits for the cardiometabolic health of Asian individuals, particularly those at a higher risk for diabetes.
Over eight weeks, 82 volunteers were split into two groups: one on an animal-based meat diet (ABMD) and the other on plant-based meat diet (PBMD). The ABMD group received a selection of six frozen foods, including beef mince, pork mince, chicken breast, burger patties, sausages and chicken nuggets. Conversely, the PBMD group consumed their plant-based alternatives. Both groups consumed approximately 2.5 servings of their respective protein sources daily, while maintaining the rest of their usual diet.
The team tracked changes in different heart and metabolic health factors, including Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels—the ‘bad cholesterol’ that can clog arteries and cause heart disease—along with blood sugar and blood pressure. A smaller subset of participants also had their blood pressure measured throughout the day before and after the dietary intervention, as well as two weeks of continuous glucose monitoring.
The study found no significant differences in cholesterol profiles between the two diets. Although the PBMD group had lower diastolic blood pressure, the ABMD showed a more pronounced improvement in the nighttime dip in blood pressure. Additionally, while both diets improved glucose control, close monitoring in the subgroup revealed that those who consumed animal-based meats, managed their sugar levels even more effectively.
“Contrary to our research hypothesis, we failed to substantiate any clear benefits for PBMD on cardiometabolic health compared with the corresponding ABMD,” the authors wrote.
These findings indicate that the health advantages observed with whole plant-based diets may not apply to these meat alternatives, owing to their distinct nutritional profiles and their effects on heart and metabolic disease risks.
PBMAs are highly processed foods that are made by breaking down and reconstructing natural plant ingredients like soy protein isolates and cassava starch, potentially altering their health-promoting properties. Given the lack of sufficient evidence to favour a PBMD over an ABMD for individuals with diabetes, striving for balanced and healthy diets rich in whole plant-based foods may be more beneficial.
“However, this creates an opportunity and stimulus for the food industry to re-evaluate the production of next-generation PBMAs with improved nutritional attributes and bioaccessibility,” the study authors highlighted.
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Source: Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation; Image: Shutterstock
The article can be found at Plant-Based Meat Analogs and Their Effects on Cardiometabolic Health: An 8-Week Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Plant-Based Meat Analogs With Their Corresponding Animal-Based Foods.
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