SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT: THE FACTS OF THE LATEST STUDY ON ULTRA PROCESSED FOODS, A WORD FROM DR. MATTHEW LEDERMAN

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT: THE FACTS OF THE LATEST STUDY ON ULTRA PROCESSED FOODS, A WORD FROM DR. MATTHEW LEDERMAN

In the world of food, plant-based diets have been gaining traction, and for good reason! The animal protein industry is wary of this trend and when it comes to plant-based meats, has mobilized a disinformation campaign to discourage their adoption. A common tactic is to misrepresent science to seed fear about alternatives to animal products and use advertisements and media stories to amplify the deceit as fact.

I recently came across two examples of this type of misinformation, both tied to the same study. The New York Post’s title exclaims “Vegan fake meats linked to heart disease, early death: study.”  The Washington Post takes a slightly more subtle route, with a subheading telling the reader that plant-based meat “increases the risk of heart attack and strokes.”  

The problem, which the journalists (one who happens to be an astrology editor) apparently felt was not a problem, is that the study data does not support these claims.  The study, published in The Lancet Regional Health-Europe, focuses on outcomes related to various foods using a data set of dietary in-take of participants in London during the period 2009-2011.  It includes plant-based meats in the category of ultra-processed foods (a categorization that deserves significant scrutiny) and draws conclusions relating to increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and mortality. Here’s where the study and its promulgators reveal their hand: only 0.2% of the total calories in the study come from plant-based meats amidst a heavy line-up of ‘industrialized’ bread, pizza, cakes, sugary drinks, and alcohol, among others.  That’s .2 of 1%, as in way less than 1% of calories in a sea of unhealthy consumption.  The articles’ conclusions regarding plant-based meats based on a data set that scarcely contain it has no—as in 0—scientific credibility. 

When such misinformation careens around the internet, the incumbent animal protein industry wins at the expense of a misled consumer who might otherwise take the important step of prioritizing plant proteins over animal proteins for better health and longevity.  Extensive data, including a recent WHO-backed study tracking 266,000 participants across seven countries for 11 years, reveals that high intake of animal protein, particularly from ultra-processed products and red meat, significantly increases overall mortality and disease risk, including heart-disease, cancer and diabetes. In contrast, plant-based proteins are linked to lower mortality and disease risk.

Certainly, like animal-based meats, plant-based meats offer a range of nutritional profiles.  My family and I use Beyond Meat within a diet rich in whole plant-based foods including their latest burger and steak products which carry certifications from the American Heart Association and American Diabetes Association.

In conclusion, while it is essential to be mindful of the processing levels of plant-based foods, many plant-based meats, including Beyond Meat, offer a clear path to better health outcomes and environmental sustainability.

Matthew Lederman, MD

Chief Medical Officer, WeHeal; NY Times Bestselling Author, The Forks Over Knives Plan; Health & Medical Advisor, Beyond Meat