Study: Replacing Meat With Plant-Based Alternatives Can Reduce Cholesterol & Body Weight Within Weeks

From vegconomist.com

A meta-analysis published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has found that replacing meat with plant-based alternatives has a significant impact on cardiometabolic health.

Eight previous investigations were analysed, featuring data from seven randomized clinical trials. The studies saw participants replace meat with plant-based protein products derived from fungi, vegetables, or legumes. In total, 369 adults took part, all free of cardiovascular disease. 

On average, study participants saw their total cholesterol fall by 6%, while LDL (sometimes referred to as “bad cholesterol”) dropped by 12%. Additionally, body weight fell by 1%. These changes all took place in eight weeks or less, and in some cases, changes were seen within a week.

The study is claimed to be the first systematic review and meta-analysis determining the impact of replacing meat with plant-based alternatives on cardiovascular health.

© Cargill

Plant-based diets and heart health

The researchers note that the effects could be even more significant in people with higher cholesterol levels or a poor cardio-metabolic health profile. They also highlight the role of meat alternatives in helping people transition towards a healthier, more plant-based diet. The study suggests that more research is needed to evaluate different health parameters and meat alternatives, along with their environmental impact.

Numerous studies have now emphasised the cardiovascular benefits of plant-based foods; Harvard research published in December found that consuming more plant-based than animal-based proteins is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases and coronary heart disease. Previously, a Stanford Medicine study from 2023 took several pairs of identical twins, placing one from each pair on a vegan diet and the other on an omnivorous one. The vegan twins saw considerably greater cardiovascular improvements than the omnivores.

“This study shows that replacing meat with plant-based alternatives has a positive effect on some cardiometabolic parameters such as LDL cholesterol, even in short periods of a week,” said Rubén Fernández Rodríguez, who led the new meta-analysis. “The market for plant-based products is booming and it will be necessary to explore how these alternatives can impact on long-term cardiometabolic health, and even on other fundamental aspects such as mental health and the microbiota.”

https://vegconomist.com/health/study-replacing-meat-plant-based-alternatives-reduce-cholesterol/