A recent study has found that some plant-based diets may actually increase the risk of cardiovascular disease by 40%. The research, published in The Lancet Regional Health - Europe, analyzed the diets of over 60,000 adults in France over a 9-year period. The study looked beyond just whether foods came from plants or animals, also considering nutritional quality and level of processing.

The findings showed that plant-based diets high in ultra-processed and low-nutrient foods were associated with higher cardiovascular disease risk. On the other hand, diets consisting of minimally processed, nutrient-dense plant foods had a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. This research highlights the importance of being mindful of food choices in a plant-based diet and emphasizes the need for whole, nourishing foods over processed alternatives.