Replacing traditional meat with plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) may improve cardiovascular health by reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), according to a review of randomized controlled trials. However, the authors emphasized the need for long-term studies to confirm these findings and assess their impact on cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes.
Ehud Ur, MB, a professor of medicine at the University of British Columbia and an endocrinologist at St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, stated that plant-based meats appear to be a healthy substitute for animal meat based on various cardiovascular risk factors, including lipids, triglycerides, and blood pressure. However, he noted the lack of clinical outcome trials to definitively prove these benefits.
The study, published on June 25 in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology, highlighted that PBMAs, which mimic meat using protein derivatives from soy, pea, wheat, and fungi, are increasingly popular among Canadians reducing or eliminating meat from their diets. Despite their classification as ultraprocessed foods, which raises concerns about health implications, the review found positive impacts on cardiovascular risk factors.
The research team, led by Matthew Nagra, ND, from the Vancouver Naturopathic Clinic, examined literature from 1970 to 2023 on PBMAs’ nutritional profiles and health impacts. They discovered that PBMAs typically contain less saturated fat and cholesterol but more fiber and sodium compared to meat. Several randomized controlled trials indicated that PBMAs could lower total cholesterol, LDL-C, apolipoprotein B-100, body weight, and waist circumference without increasing blood pressure, despite their high sodium content.
The review concluded that current evidence does not suggest the processing and sodium content of PBMAs negate their cardiovascular benefits. However, there is a lack of long-term research on the effects of PBMAs on the risk of myocardial infarction or stroke and on the healthfulness of some PBMA components like vital wheat gluten.
As reported by Medscape, Ur highlighted the need for large, expensive clinical trials to address these gaps, which are typically beyond the financial reach of PBMA producers and would require government funding. He also pointed out ethical, environmental, and health reasons for avoiding meat, suggesting that PBMAs offer a viable alternative for those who enjoy meat but seek a diverse diet and potential health benefits.