Although plant-based meat substitutes are highly processed, they may be healthier for your heart, according to a new study.
A new study suggests that replacing regular meat with meat substitutes (plant-based meat) promotes heart health.
Risk factors for heart disease, including LDL cholesterol and body weight, improved when meat was replaced with a plant-based substitute. Canadian Journal of Cardiology.
A clinical trial looked at people consuming plant-based meat substitutes 13% reduction in total cholesterol, reduction LDL cholesterol 9%reduction triglycerides with 53% and 11% increase in “good” HDL cholesterol.
This applies to plant-based meat, regardless of the primary protein source (soy, pea, mycoprotein) or fat (vegetable oil, olive oil, or coconut oil).
“Plant-based meat is a healthy alternative that is clearly associated with reduced cardiovascular risk factors,” said Dr. Ehud Ur, professor of medicine at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.
Researchers have found that meat substitutes are high in nutrients such as sodium and saturated fat.
Most meat substitutes highly processed and such foods are low in fiber and full of salt, sugar and added preservatives. However, research suggests that not all highly processed foods are bad for the heart.