A recent study conducted by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) highlights the importance of providing consumers with transparent information regarding the nutritional content and processing of meat and dairy alternatives.
The research underscores the environmental advantages and potential health benefits associated with plant-based options.
Published in Nutrition Reviews, the comprehensive review reveals that plant-based alternatives offer a more environmentally sustainable choice compared to animal-based products. Moreover, these alternatives often boast healthier nutritional profiles.
The study, led by LSHTM researcher Sarah Najera Espinosa, emphasised the need for informed consumer choices in light of the expanding market for novel plant-based food and beverage products designed to replicate or substitute animal-derived counterparts.
Analysing 57 peer-reviewed studies and 36 additional sources, the research focused on products available primarily in high-income countries, excluding traditional Asian staples like tofu, tempeh and seitan due to their already well-established health benefits.
Key findings indicate that plant-based alternatives exhibit significantly lower environmental footprints, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions, water usage and land requirements, compared to their animal-based counterparts.
In terms of nutritional content, most plant-based alternatives offer lower energy content, reduced saturated fat levels, higher fibre content, and increased presence of legumes and vegetables. Additionally, plant-based beverages contain less total sugar compared to dairy milks.
However, the study also uncovered variations in nutritional profiles among different products. For instance, while plant-based meat alternatives generally contained more sugar than their animal-based counterparts, some plant-based cheese alternatives exhibited higher levels of saturated fat than dairy cheese.
Despite the promising health implications of transitioning to plant-based alternatives, the researchers emphasize the need for further studies to validate these findings. They also advocate for enhanced labelling and categorisation to empower consumers, policymakers and stakeholders to make well-informed decisions.
Najera Espinosa said: “Although whole foods are still considered the ‘gold standard’ for healthy and environmentally friendly diets, environmental and health outcomes from some novel plant-based foods are promising. Our review has demonstrated that some products, such as legume and vegetable-based drinks and legume- and mycoprotein-based meats, have the potential to be a useful stepping stone in the process of the food system and dietary transformation if they are carefully selected.”
The study, titled “Mapping the evidence of novel plant-based foods: a systematic review of nutritional, health and environmental impacts in high-income countries,” offers valuable insights into the burgeoning plant-based food sector and its implications for both consumers and the broader food industry.
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