A recent scientific review compared the health impacts of unprocessed animal foods with ultra-processed plant-based alternatives, such as meat alternatives, plant-based milks, and margarines. These plant-based alternatives were found to have several health advantages over animal products, including lower cholesterol, saturated fat, and risk of cardiovascular events and mortality. While not as healthy as whole plant foods, ultra-processed plant-based foods may offer better cardiometabolic outcomes than unprocessed animal products, making them a valuable transitional tool for dietary changes.

In another study, it was found that food classification systems may overlook the health benefits of some processed plant-based products. The focus on the nutritional components of edible products, rather than the processing technique or added ingredients, is key in determining the nutritional value and healthiness of food products. This shows that not all processing makes a product unhealthy, and that public health guidance should consider these findings when recommending dietary choices.