Vegan fake meats are linked to increase in heart deaths, study suggests: Experts say plant-based diets can boost health – but NOT if they are ultra-processed [Video]

By Rebecca Whittaker For Mailonline and Kate Pickles Health Editor For The Daily Mail 18:30 EDT 10 Jun 2024, updated 20:06 EDT 10 Jun 2024

Replacing meat and dairy with plant-based swaps might not be the simple health hack you think it is. 

Although eating fresh vegetables is linked with a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases, you may want to reconsider how many vegan burgers and cakes you tuck into. 

Scientists found opting for ultra-processed plant-based products — such as vegan sausages burgers intended to replace animal-based foods, as well as cakes and crisps — is linked with 15 per cent higher risk of suffering heart attacks and strokes.

That’s according to analysis of more than 118,000 participants’ diets from the UK Biobank study.

Packed with fat, salt and laden with sugar ultra-processed foods have long been vilified for increasing heart attack and stroke risk.