Eating fake meat products such as hamburgers made with lab-processed ingredients may increase your chances of developing depression, a new study suggests.
Scientists compared the mental health symptoms of vegetarians who ate plant-based meat substitutes with those who did not.
A study published in the medical journal Food Frontiers found that people who ate meat substitutes were 42% more likely to develop depression than those who didn’t.
Describing the findings as “alarming,” the authors also noted that blood test results showed that people who ate fake meat had higher blood pressure and more inflammation.
They suggest that the link between convenience foods and mental health problems may be due to inflammation in the body, which is thought to interfere with feel-good brain chemicals.
But researchers say more research is needed to determine why people who eat plant-based meat are more likely to develop depression.
Researchers at the University of Surrey analyzed data from the UK Biobank, which tracks the health data of more than 500,000 people.
Of the participants, 3,342 people were studied, and approximately two-thirds of the participants were women.
Plant-based meat linked to increased risk of depression, according to British researchers
The plant-based meat used to make “fake” burgers and sausages is considered an ultra-processed food (UPF) due to the high amount of additives such as preservatives and flavorings.
Ultra-processed foods also typically contain high levels of calories, sugar, saturated fat, and salt.
However, the researchers found that there were no noticeable differences in nutrient intake between vegetarians who ate meat substitutes and those who did not.
However, researchers found that people who ate plant-based meat had higher blood pressure and higher levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation.
They also had lower levels of apolipoprotein A, which is associated with “good” cholesterol (HDL).
However, people who ate plant-based meat were 40 percent less likely to develop irritable bowel syndrome.
Professor Nofer Geifman, from the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Surrey and lead author of the study, said: “The overall findings are encouraging and suggest that plant-based meat alternatives may be a safe option. “There is,” he said. An overall balanced meal.
“However, further investigation is needed into the potential links between these types of foods, inflammation, and depression.”
Co-author of the study, Professor Anthony Whitton from the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Surrey, said:
“Ultra-processed plant-based meat alternatives are a useful way for people to effectively transition to a vegetarian diet and can aid in sustainable agricultural practices. These findings and the relationship between vegetarian food and mood Further research is needed to confirm, including longitudinal studies and trials with more diverse populations.”
The findings come months after an international group of scientists found that choosing ultra-processed vegetarian options, such as fake burgers and sausages, increased the risk of having a heart attack or stroke by 15 percent. Announced.
People who ate more plant-based, ultra-processed foods had a 7 percent higher risk of suffering from conditions such as cardiovascular blockages and a 15 percent higher risk of death compared to vegetarians who ate less.
It was found that increasing your intake of unprocessed vegetarian foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, by 10 percent reduced your risk of developing heart disease by 8 percent.
Vegetarians with the lowest UPF intake had a fifth reduction in deaths from heart disease and a 13% reduction in overall cardiovascular disease, which is caused by the buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries.
Scientists suggested that food additives and industrial contaminants in these foods can cause oxidative stress and inflammation, which can lead to heart disease.
Consumers can expect an increased presence of fake meat on supermarket shelves next month.
Every year, around 700,000 people commit to giving up meat for the new year. This is known as “Veganuary”.
To accommodate the extra demand, supermarkets will promote meat-free alternatives during the month with special offers and new products.