Plant-Based Ultra-processed Foods Linked to Heart Disease and Early Death, Study Reports
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According to a study published in the journal The Lancet Regional Health, Ultra-processed foods made from plants increased the risk of cardiovascular disease by 5% while increasing the risk of early death by 13%.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of premature mortality across the globe, contributing to 18.6 million deaths.
Unprocessed foods include fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, and milk. Minimally processed foods encompass culinary ingredients like salt, herbs, and oils, as well as canned goods and frozen vegetables that combine these ingredients with unprocessed foods. Ultra-processed foods, on the other hand, undergo multiple industrial processes such as heating, nutrient and protein extraction, molding, and compression. These foods often contain added chemicals to alter their color, smell, taste, and texture.
Designed to be hyper-palatable, ultra-processed foods are typically very convenient, requiring little to no preparation time. Modern plant-based diets may feature a variety of these ultra-processed foods, including sugar-sweetened beverages, snacks, confectionery, and 'plant-based' sausages, nuggets, and burgers, which are marketed as meat and dairy substitutes but are made from plant-derived ingredients.
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