Reducing processed animal foods aids significant weight loss

A new study suggests that a vegan diet can help with weight loss, especially by cutting back on processed animal foods. The research shows that reducing these foods is more important for losing weight than focusing solely on how much plant food is processed. The study, published in the journal Nutrition and Metabolism, involved overweight adults. It aimed to see how different levels of food processing affect weight loss when following a plant-based diet. Researchers noted that while many plant foods are healthy, some are heavily processed and may hinder weight loss. In this study, 244 participants were chosen from over 3,100 who were screened. They were split into two groups: one followed a vegan diet, while the other kept their original eating habits. Over 16 weeks, both groups had their food intake and body weight measured. The findings showed that the vegan group not only decreased their animal food consumption but also increased their plant-based food intake. This group lost weight, primarily due to lower consumption of processed animal foods. Specifically, cutting processed animal food by 50 grams each day was linked to a weight loss of about one kilogram. However, the study had some limitations. Participants reported their food intake themselves, which can lead to inaccuracies. Also, the group studied might not reflect the general population, which could affect how applicable the results are. Overall, the study emphasizes the importance of minimizing animal food intake for effective weight loss, regardless of how much plant-based foods are processed.