Plant-Based Meat Alternatives (PBMAs), a common choice among vegetarians, are classified as ultra-processed foods and may carry similar risks.

A groundbreaking study published in Food Frontiers by researchers from the University of Surrey found that vegetarians who consumed PBMAs faced a 42% higher risk of depression compared to vegetarians who avoided these products.

The study, which was led by Hana Navratilova, analyzed data from the UK Biobank and found no notable differences in intake of sodium, free sugar, total sugar, or saturated fatty acids between those vegetarians who ate PBMAs and those who did not. The researchers did find, however, that those who eat PBMAs had higher blood pressure and C-reactive protein* (CRP) levels, a marker of inflammation, and lower levels of apolipoprotein A, a protein associated with HDL, a "good" cholesterol; PBMA consumption was, however, also linked to a reduced risk of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by 40%.

CRP levels were higher in PBMA consumers. PBMAs often contain different nutrient profiles compared to traditional meat, including higher levels of certain additives, preservatives, or processed ingredients that might contribute to inflammation. This finding is consistent with a previous study using the same cohort, where higher UPF [ultra-processed food] intake was associated with higher odds of elevated inflammatory biomarkers such as CRP...

It is hypothesized that UPFs can increase inflammatory factors (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β), which eventually affect CRP levels.