Eating ultra-processed, plant-based meat alternatives, such as veggie burgers, sausages, and nuggets, is associated with a higher risk of depression, according to a study.

Scientists from the University of Surrey in the UK analyzed the diets of more than 3,300 vegetarians – including fish eaters, but not meat eaters – as well as samples of their blood. They found that vegetarians who consumed ultra-processed, plant-based meat alternatives were 42% more likely to suffer from depression than vegetarians who stuck to whole-food proteins, like chickpeas, eggs , beans, lentils and quinoa.

Ultra-processed foods have been linked to a number of negative health consequencessuch as obesity, diabetes, inflammation, heart disease, skin conditions And cancer. As a category of food, it is debated, but is generally defined as foods manufactured industrially, using processing techniques and chemical ingredients that are generally not available to people who cook at home.

Some experts say ultra-processed foods have negative health effects because they are mostly junk food, containing more salt, sugar and saturated fat than less processed foods. However, scientists at the University of Surrey found that vegetarians who ate more ultra-processed protein did not consume significantly more salt, sugar or saturated fat than the other group.

The scientists also found that, on average, alternative meat eaters had higher blood pressure, as well as higher levels of an inflammatory marker called C-reactive protein in their blood. However, vegetarians who ate meat-alternative proteins were 40 percent less likely to suffer from irritable bowel syndrome.

Vegetarians who consumed plant-based meat alternatives were also slightly more likely to be overweight, younger, male, wealthier and white, compared to the whole foods group.

One of the reasons some vegetarians choose to eat ultra-processed meat alternatives is to help them meet their protein needs. But both groups of vegetarians, whether or not they ate these foods, generally ate enough protein.

When looking at risks for other diseases, epidemiologists didn’t find much difference between the two groups in terms of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity and cancer.

“The overall results are reassuring, suggesting that plant-based meat alternatives may be a safe option when part of an overall balanced diet,” said Nophar Geifman, author of the study, in a press release.

“However, the potential link between these types of foods, inflammation and depression merits further research,” added Geifman, a professor in the School of Health Sciences at the University of Surrey.

Professor Anthony Whetton, co-author of the study and also at the University of Surrey, said in a statement: “Ultra-processed plant-based meat alternatives may be a useful way for people to transition effectively supports a vegetarian diet, and contributes to sustainable agricultural practices.

“Additional research, including longitudinal studies and trials in more diverse populations, is needed to confirm these findings and the relationship between vegetarian foods and mood,” he said.

The scientists used data from the UK Biobank to this study, published Monday in the scientific journal Food Frontiers.

Participants were 1,780 vegetarians who ate plant-based meat alternatives and 1,840 vegetarians who did not. The population was predominantly white and British.

Reference

Navratilova, H.F., Whetton, A.D., Geifman, N. (2024). Consumption of plant-based meat alternatives and its association with health status among vegetarians in the UK Biobank volunteer population, Food borders, e2532. https://doi.org/10.1002/fft2.532

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