Plant-based meat alternatives linked to increased risk of depression in vegetarians, study finds

NEW DELHI: Vegetarians consuming plant-based alternatives to meat — suggested as one of the means to lower the environmental impact of meat consumption — could have a 42 per cent increased risk of depression compared to vegetarians who refrain from them, according to a study.

Published in the journal Food Frontiers, the study also found higher blood pressure and inflammation levels, along with lower levels of ‘good’ cholesterol (HDL), in vegetarians who ate plant-based meat alternatives.

Researchers at the University of Surrey, UK, analysed data from over 3,300 vegetarians in the UK Biobank—about half were consumers of plant-based meat alternatives, and half were non-consumers.

Source: PTI News

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