New Study: Ultra-Processed Plant-Based Foods Linked to Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases and Early Death

Each 10% replacement of plant-based ultraprocessed foods with fresh, frozen or minimally processed plants reduces risk of cardiovascular disease by 7% and dying from heart disease by 13%.
Every 10% increase in calories from plant-derived ultra-processed foods increases likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease by 5% and coronary heart disease by 6%.
Half of plant-based ultraprocessed foods come from industrialized packaged breads, pastries, buns, cakes and biscuits.
New study links ultra-processed plant-based foods to increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and early death.
Study analyzed data from over 118,000 adults followed for a decade.
Ultraprocessed plant-based foods include meat substitutes, fruit juices, pastries, and other processed snacks.
New Study: Ultra-Processed Plant-Based Foods Linked to Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases and Early Death

Plant-based diets have gained popularity in recent years due to their potential health benefits. However, a new study published in The Lancet Regional Health Europe reveals that not all plant-based foods are created equal. In fact, ultra-processed plant-based foods have been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and early death.

The study analyzed data from over 118,000 adults who were followed for roughly a decade as part of the UK Biobank. The researchers found that each 10% replacement of plant-based ultraprocessed foods with fresh, frozen, or minimally processed plants was associated with a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease by 7% and reducing the risk of dying from heart disease by 13%. On the other hand, every 10% increase in calories from plant-derived ultra-processed foods was linked to a higher likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease by 5% and a greater risk of coronary heart disease by 6%.

Ultraprocessed plant-based foods include meat substitutes, fruit juices, pastries, and other processed snacks. These foods often contain food additives and industrial contaminants that may cause oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.

The study also found that around half of the plant-based ultraprocessed foods came from industrialized packaged breads, pastries, buns, cakes, and biscuits.

It is important to note that not all plant-based foods are ultra-processed. Fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes have important health benefits and should be a staple in any healthy diet.

The study highlights the importance of being mindful of the types of plant-based foods you consume to ensure that you are getting the most health benefits possible. It is recommended to limit your intake of ultra-processed plant-based foods and focus on consuming fresh, whole foods instead.


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Confidence

100%

No Doubts Found At Time Of Publication

Sources

94%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Plant-based ultraprocessed foods linked to heart disease, early death, study says

CNN News Site: In-Depth Reporting and Analysis with Some Financial Conflicts and Sensational Language Sandee LaMotte Monday, 10 June 2024 22:30
  • Unique Points
    • Ultraprocessed plant-based foods are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, according to a new study.
    • Eating ultraprocessed plant-based foods can lead to higher levels of bad cholesterol and hypertension, increasing the risk of heart disease and early death.
    • Each 10% replacement of plant-based ultraprocessed foods with fresh, frozen, or minimally processed plants was found to lower the risk of developing cardiovascular disease by 7% and reduce the risk of dying from heart disease by 13%.
  • Accuracy
    • Ultraprocessed plant-based foods are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.
    • Eating ultraprocessed plant-based foods can lead to higher levels of bad cholesterol and hypertension.
    • The study found that ultraprocessed foods made from plants increased the risk of cardiovascular disease by 5% and the risk of early death by 13%.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

79%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Ultra processed vegan food can increase your risk of heart death, study finds

The Daily Telegraph Laura Donnelly Tuesday, 11 June 2024 12:41
  • Unique Points
    • Study of 118,000 middle-aged and older Britons found that every 10% increase in plant-based foods was associated with a 20% reduction in deaths from heart disease if the fare was not ultra-processed.
    • Swapping plant-based UPF foods with fruit, vegetables and other wholefoods cut deaths from all cardiovascular diseases by 15% and the risk of developing such diseases by seven percent.
    • Lead author Dr Fernanda Rauber said food additives and industrial contaminants present in these foods might cause oxidative stress and inflammation, further aggravating the risks.
    • Around half of the plant-based UPFs came from industrialised packaged breads, pastries, buns, cakes and biscuits.
  • Accuracy
    • Every 10% increase in plant-based foods was associated with a 20% reduction in deaths from heart disease if the fare was not ultra-processed.
    • However, when the increase came from plant-based UPF foods, it was linked to a 12% increase in such deaths.
    • Researchers said the study is the first to show that UPF plant-based foods increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
  • Deception (30%)
    The article makes several deceptive statements. First, it implies that all plant-based ultra-processed foods (UPF) increase the risk of heart death when the study only found this to be true for some UPFs. The study specifically mentions vegan burgers and sausages as examples, but these are not the only types of plant-based UPFs. The article also fails to mention that around half of the plant-based UPFs in the study came from industrialized packaged breads, pastries, buns, cakes and biscuits. This misrepresentation is an example of selective reporting and sensationalism. Additionally, the article quotes Dr Fernanda Rauber stating that 'Food additives and industrial contaminants present in these foods might cause oxidative stress and inflammation.' However, this statement is not a direct quote from the study but rather an opinion by the researcher. This is an example of editorializing.
    • Researchers said the study published in Lancet Regional Health highlights the risks of common meat alternatives, such as vegan burgers and sausages.
    • Ultra-processed vegan food can increase the risk of heart death, Lancet research suggests.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains a few informal fallacies and appeals to authority. It also uses inflammatory rhetoric by associating vegan burgers and sausages with negative health outcomes. The author does not clearly distinguish between whole plant-based foods and ultra-processed plant-based foods, which can lead to confusion.
    • The research by Sao Paulo University and Imperial College London, funded by the World Cancer Research Fund...
  • Bias (90%)
    The author uses language that depicts ultra-processed vegan foods as having negative health effects and increasing the risk of heart death. She also quotes Dr Fernanda Rauber stating that 'food additives and industrial contaminants present in these foods might cause oxidative stress and inflammation, further aggravating the risks.'
    • Food additives and industrial contaminants present in these foods might cause oxidative stress and inflammation, further aggravating the risks.
      • Researchers said the study is the first to show that UPF plant-based foods increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
        • Ultra-processed vegan food can increase the risk of heart death, Lancet research suggests.
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        72%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        Vegan fake meats are linked to increase in heart deaths, study suggests: Experts say plant-based...

        Daily Mail Rebecca Whittaker, Monday, 10 June 2024 22:30
        • Unique Points
          • People who ate a lot of plant-based UPFs had a 7% greater risk of suffering heart conditions and a 15% higher risk of dying compared to vegetarians with less UPF intake.
          • Food additives and industrial contaminants present in UPFs may cause oxidative stress and inflammation.
        • Accuracy
          • Study suggests consuming vegan burgers and cakes may increase heart attack and stroke risk by 15%.
          • Ultra-processed plant-based foods increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
          • Every 10% increase in calories from plant-derived ultra-processed foods was associated with a 5% higher likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease and a 6% higher risk of coronary heart disease.
        • Deception (30%)
          The article makes several statements that could be considered deceptive or misleading. First, the title and body of the article suggest that vegan burgers and other plant-based UPFs are directly linked to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. However, the study only found a correlation between high consumption of plant-based UPFs and a 15% increase in heart death. The article also fails to mention that the same study found that vegetarians who consumed the least UPFs had a 13% decrease in cardiovascular disease overall. This omission could be intentionally misleading, as it implies that all plant-based UPFs are bad for heart health when in fact some may have protective effects. Additionally, the article quotes Dr Fernanda Rauber stating that 'despite being plant-based, these foods may contribute to risk factors such as dyslipidemia and hypertension due to their composition and processing methods.' However, the article does not mention that these same risks are also present in animal-based UPFs. This selective reporting could be intended to further demonize plant-based UPFs while downplaying the risks of animal-based UPFs. Lastly, the article uses sensational language such as 'linked to poor health outcomes' and 'vilified for increasing heart attack and stroke risk' which could be intended to manipulate readers emotions.
          • Despite being plant-based, these foods may contribute to risk factors such as dyslipidemia and hypertension due to their composition and processing methods.
          • The study suggests these dangers are even present in plant-based UPFs, with a high consumption linked to a 15 per cent increase in heart death.
        • Fallacies (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Bias (50%)
          The authors express a clear bias against ultra-processed plant-based foods by using language that depicts them as unhealthy and dangerous. They state that these foods are linked to poor health outcomes and increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and heart deaths.
          • Despite being plant-based, these foods may contribute to risk factors such as dyslipidemia and hypertension due to their composition and processing methods.
            • Food additives and industrial contaminants present in these foods might cause oxidative stress and inflammation, further aggravating the risks.
              • Now research published in Lancet Regional Health - Europe, suggests these dangers are even present in plant-based UPFs, with a high consumption linked to a 15 per cent increase in heart death.
                • ultra-processed plant-based products such as vegan sausages burgers intended to replace animal-based foods, as well as cakes and crisps
                • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication

                94%

                The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                When plant foods are ultra-processed, the health benefits disappear

                The Fixing Site: A Summary of the Article. Anahad O’Connor Tuesday, 11 June 2024 00:04
                • Unique Points
                  • Eating a plant-based diet is good for your health, but not if those plant foods are ultra-processed.
                  • Minimally processed plant foods have a protective effect against cardiovascular disease.
                  • The more ultra-processed foods consumed, the higher the likelihood of dying from heart disease.
                  • Every 10% increase in calories from plant-derived ultra-processed foods was associated with a 5% higher likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease and a 6% higher risk of coronary heart disease.
                  • The study analyzed data on 118,000 adults who were followed for roughly a decade as part of the UK Biobank.
                • Accuracy
                  • Ultra-processed plant foods increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
                  • People who ate a lot of plant-based UPFs had a 7% greater risk of suffering heart conditions and a 15% higher risk of dying compared to vegetarians who ate less processed food.
                • Deception (80%)
                  The article does not make any clear author opinions or emotional manipulation. It reports on a study that found a correlation between consuming ultra-processed plant foods and an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. However, the article does use sensational language in the title to grab readers' attention, which could be considered misleading if taken out of context. The article also selectively reports details from the study that support its position, as it only mentions the negative health effects of ultra-processed plant foods and not any potential benefits. Additionally, while the article does mention some sources (the Lancet Regional Health-Europe journal and the UK Biobank study), it does not explicitly state that they were used in the creation of this article.
                  • For every 10 percent increase in calories from plant-derived ultra-processed foods, the participants had a 5 percent higher likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease and a 6 percent higher risk of coronary heart disease in particular.
                  • When plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts are only minimally processed, meaning they are cleaned, cut and packaged but served largely as they are found in nature, they have a protective effect against cardiovascular disease.
                  • The more ultra-processed foods people consumed, the higher their likelihood of dying of heart disease.
                • Fallacies (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Bias (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication

                79%

                The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                Some vegan food linked to higher risk of heart attack and stroke

                CornwallLive Neil Shaw Tuesday, 11 June 2024 06:40
                • Unique Points
                  • Study links some vegetarian and vegan foods to a 15% increase in risk of stroke or heart attack
                  • Fresh plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, and legumes have important health benefits
                • Accuracy
                  • Ultraprocessed plant-based foods can be high in fats, sugar, salt, preservatives and other chemicals
                  • Research suggests people who eat a lot of plant-based ultra-processed foods had a 7% greater risk of blocked heart vessels and a 15% higher risk of dying compared to vegetarians who ate less processed food
                • Deception (30%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Fallacies (85%)
                  The author makes an appeal to authority by citing the Lancet Regional Health - Europe study and quoting Dr. Eszter Vamos and Dr. Duane Mellor. The author also uses dichotomous depiction by stating that 'fresh plant-based foods such as fruits and vegetables, wholegrains and legumes are known to have important health and environmental benefits' while implying that all ultra-processed plant-based foods are unhealthy.
                  • "Some vegetarian and vegan foods have been linked to a 15% increase in the risk of having a stroke or heart attack."
                  • "Fresh plant-based foods such as fruits and vegetables, wholegrains and legumes are known to have important health and environmental benefits."
                • Bias (90%)
                  The author makes a distinction between fresh plant-based foods and ultra-processed plant-based foods, implying that the latter are less healthy. This could be seen as an implicit bias against ultra-processed vegan or vegetarian food.
                  • "While ultra-processed foods are often marketed as healthy foods, this large study suggests that plant-based ultra-processed foods do not seem to have protective health effects and are linked to poor health outcomes."
                  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication