New research is challenging conventional wisdom about plant-based diets, suggesting that not all plant-based eating is created equal. A study published in The Lancet found that diets heavy in ultra-processed plant foods may not offer the same heart-health benefits-and could even increase cardiovascular risk-as those centered around whole, minimally processed plant sources. The findings, stemming from a nine-year study of over 63,000 adults in France, underscore the importance of food quality within any dietary pattern.
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Tuesday, December 16, 2025 – 04:04 PM
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</p>Doctors are raising concerns about plant-based diets heavily reliant on ultra-processed ready meals, finding a link between these eating patterns and an increased risk of heart disease and heart attacks. This challenges the widely held belief in the health benefits of plant-based eating.
According to reporting in the British newspaper The Daily Mail, a new study reveals that the well-known health advantages of plant-based diets – such as their high fiber and nutrient content – can be diminished when those diets primarily consist of ultra-processed foods, which may be no healthier than traditional fast food.
Study Details and Findings
Published in The Lancet, the study followed over 63,000 adults of middle age in France. Researchers found that the heart-protective benefits associated with plant-based diets are only realized when the diet emphasizes whole, minimally processed foods.
Lead researcher Clémentine Briot of the University of Sorbonne stated that the results highlight the importance of promoting consumption of natural plant foods, rather than simply reducing animal product intake.
Over a follow-up period exceeding nine years, participants adhering to a healthy, unprocessed plant-based diet experienced a 44% reduction in the risk of coronary heart disease. Conversely, those whose plant-based diets consisted largely of ultra-processed foods saw a 46% increase in the risk of the same condition, and an overall 38% increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Common Foods Linked to Increased Risk
The study identified that participants in the higher-risk group consumed greater quantities of industrially produced bread, ready meals, canned soups, and salads with heavy dressings – products often containing added fats, emulsifiers, and preservatives.
The research also indicated that the quality and degree of processing of food are more important than whether a diet is plant-based or animal-based. Individuals who limited animal product consumption while avoiding ultra-processed foods did not exhibit a higher risk compared to those following healthy, whole-food plant-based diets.
Researchers concluded that healthy plant-based diets based on unprocessed foods offer the best protection for the heart, while ultra-processed plant-based diets are associated with a roughly 40% increase in the risk of heart disease.
The researchers emphasized that reducing consumption of ultra-processed foods – whether plant-based or animal-based – is a crucial step in preventing heart disease, advocating for a focus on a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet based on natural foods. This finding underscores the importance of mindful eating and food choices for cardiovascular health.
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