However, for a non-vegetarian individual who regularly eats meat, transitioning to such diets can be really challenging due to deep-seated cultural, historical, and social influences on meat consumption.
Plant-based meat analogs (PBMAs) are becoming increasingly popular nowadays because they are designed in such a way that they mimic the taste and texture of real meat.
The research was focused on comparing the effects of plant-based meat analogs (PBMAs) and traditional animal-based meats (ABMs) on the heart health of individuals at a higher risk for type 2 diabetes.
The study involved 89 adults who were at a high risk of type 2 diabetes, and found no significant heart health benefits of plant-based meat diets over those including animal meat, challenging the old norm that these alternatives offer the same health advantages as whole plant-based diets.
It was an 8-week-long study in which half participants were asked to eat PBMAs, and the other half ate animal meats.
The results showed no significant changes in cholesterol levels for either diet, but both diets were linked to some improvements in blood sugar. Blood pressure improvement was also seen in the group eating animal meat.
Although the research did not look into protein absorption, other studies suggest that proteins from protein-based meat might not be as easily absorbed as those from animal meats, affecting insulin and gut hormone responses.
While plant-based proteins are becoming a popular meat substitute nowadays, this study didn't give any idea that these diets offer better heart and metabolic health benefits than animal meat diets.
According to this study, a diet intervention with plant-based meat analogs did not show significant cardiometabolic health benefits over 8 weeks compared with omnivorous diets. While this result may be unexpected to some, is not surprising that no benefits were observed when an unhealthy type of ultra-processed food was compared to animal-based foods
Kelsey Costa, MS, RDN, a Registered Dietitian and Founder of Dietitian Insights
While there are potentially healthier plant-based meat alternatives on the market than the ones used in this study, consumers should keep in mind that these alternatives are often still heavily processed foods and should not be relied upon as the main source of protein in a healthy diet.
Kelsey Costa, MS, RDN
Ideally, whole food options should be a primary protein source for both plant-based or omnivorous diets. Whole food diets tend to promote cardiometabolic health because they include more fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants
Haley Bishoff, RDN, LD
This study highlights an opportunity for the food industry to create new PBMAs that are not only focused on mimicking the taste and texture of meat but are also nutritionally superior and more easily absorbed by the body.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Dr. Pragati Priya/SB)
