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Plant-based alternatives to meat and dairy have the potential to significantly improve human health, reduce environmental impact, and be affordable for consumers.
A new study examines different categories of plant-based alternatives, including unprocessed legumes (such as soybeans, peas, and kidney beans), processed foods (veggie burgers, plant-based milk), traditional options (tempeh), and lab-grown meat. The results suggest that unprocessed plant-based options are the best choice from a health, environmental, and economic perspective. Choosing legumes over meat significantly reduces the risk of diet-related diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions and resource use by more than half.
Processed foods, such as veggie burgers, have a lower environmental impact than traditional meat, but require more energy to produce. This increases their cost and reduces their nutritional value compared to unprocessed legumes. However, they are still a significant step forward compared to animal products, thanks to the reduction in saturated fat and cholesterol.
Nutrient-rich, traditional tempeh is a cost-effective choice. With minimal processing, this product retains the beneficial properties of soybeans and has a smaller environmental footprint. It surpasses most processed alternatives in nutritional quality and affordability.
Lab-grown meat ranks last in the ranking due to its high energy intensity and high costs. Current technologies make it a less attractive option, and its emissions and costs remain significantly higher than those of traditional meat or plant-based alternatives. According to the researchers, investing in such technologies at this stage may not be rational.
Replacing meat and dairy with legumes and traditional dishes such as chickpea curry or tempeh stir-fry provides a healthier and more environmentally responsible diet. As the study highlights,
This confirms the need for sensible public policies that will promote the availability and popularization of such food solutions.
Lab-Grown Meat Loses to Natural Alternatives appeared first on Curiosity.
