- The plant-based meat and dairy alternative market has surged in popularity over the last few years.
- Researchers at the University of Bath have found evidence that suggests these products are better for both our health and the environment.
- Today’s plant-based alternatives may be easier for people to transition to when looking for vegetarian options.
Plant-based meat and dairy products are a rapidly growing industry.
Experts valued the global plant-based meat market at over $5 billion last year and forecast it to grow 19% from 2022 to 2030.
The plant-based alternative dairy market is also projected to total $11 billion in 2020 and reach $32 million in 2031.
Now, new research from the University of Bath shows that plant-based meat and dairy products are better for both human health and the environment.
A new study was recently published in the journal Future Foods.
Today’s plant-based alternative meat products use ingredients such as soy, pea protein, oil, potato starch, various binders and flavorings to
plant-based alternatives
Soy milk products continue to be popular, but are now shared over-the-counter with dairy alternatives made from oats, rice, almonds, hemp, and coconut.
And today’s dairy alternatives have expanded from simple milk-type beverages to yogurt, butter, cheese and ice cream alternatives.
For the study, Dr. Bryant and his team reviewed 43 studies that looked at the health and environmental factors of plant-based meat and dairy alternatives. We also investigated the attitude of
Based on their research, the team found that 90% of consumers who ate plant-based meat and dairy followed a flexitarian diet that allowed for moderate animal meat consumption.
Researchers also found that people tend to choose plant-based meat products that resemble real meat in taste, texture and price.
“Plant-based meats are an easy and convenient way to directly replace meat in familiar dishes, making it easier than eating all-plant foods just for those who don’t want to eat meat,” says Dr. Chris Bryant. , Emeritus Research Fellow, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Research Consultant for Bryant Research Ltd, and lead author of the study, said: medical news today.
“If you can eat a burger or a bolognese without having to come up with a completely new plant-based dish, it will be much easier and more enjoyable for many people,” he added.
According to Dr. Bryant, the purpose of the study was to investigate the health and environmental sustainability of plant-based alternative animal products.
“There seems to be a lot of misinformation on this topic and misconceptions based on the idea that such products are ‘processed’ or ‘unnatural,'” Dr. Bryant said. MNT.
“Many people may have the intuition that these products mean they are unhealthy or bad for the environment, but as studies have shown, the evidence suggests the opposite. , plant-based alternatives to animal products are healthier and more environmentally sustainable than the animal products they replace,” he explained.
Researchers found that plant-based dairy and meat products
And Dr. Bryant’s team found that plant-based alternatives aren’t just viable options for weight loss and building.
“Based on this review of evidence, plant-based alternatives to animal products tend to be healthier than animal products,” says Dr. Bryant.
“Overweight patients, in particular, can benefit from switching from chicken to mycoprotein, which increases fiber intake, increases satiety with fewer calories, and reduces insulin response. increase.”
“Plant-based animal food alternatives can also help lower cholesterol and benefit gut health,” he continued. can bring great benefits to
MNT We also spoke with Lauren Cepe, a clinical dietitian and in-house nutritionist at the Kellman Wellness Center in New York City, about the study.
Sepe said many of the points raised in the research on the health and environmental issues surrounding animal meat are of general concern, so she thought, from a nutritional point of view, that today’s plant-based meat alternative products warned that it’s a “mixed bag” for several reasons: it may contain fewer healthy ingredients.
“Some of the ingredients in these alternatives are questionable, and high doses may not be the healthiest choice,” she explained.
“That said, for those looking for a meatless burger-eating experience, these are good occasional options. Because it is still highly processed, it requires careful selection and is not recommended as a dietary staple.
While these types of foods certainly play a role in providing people with plant-based options as meat substitutes, the overall health of these lab-grown foods is much more. Research is needed, she added.
“While we like the fact that this study reveals the detrimental conditions and environmental impacts of these farms, it is important to note that small local farm options, which are an entirely different category than conventional feedlot animals, are excluded from the discussion,” she said.
“Some plant-based products are better than others. Shifting clients from highly processed meat options to highly processed plant-based options may not be a perfectly good option.” We see many of these products as occasional alternatives and stepping stones to healthier plant-based options for some people.”
– Lauren Sepe
