The advantages of a plant-based diet are widely recognized. Those involved in the plant protein industry are leveraging this research to bolster the growing evidence that consumers should reduce their meat intake in favor of plant-based options. The National Institutes of Health has released guidelines encouraging physicians to recommend plant-based diets, as they may effectively lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and BMI, and potentially reduce cancer rates. Recent findings regarding Type 2 diabetes align with an earlier long-term study, which indicated that substituting meat—particularly processed meats—with proteins from low-fat dairy, nuts, and whole grains could significantly decrease risk. This earlier research revealed that consuming 100 grams of unprocessed meat daily was associated with a 19% higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, while just 50 grams of processed meats, such as sausages and bacon, correlated with a 51% increase in risk.
However, not all vegetarian diets are the same. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has noted that vegans, in particular, need to ensure they consume a variety of protein-rich foods, such as beans, grains, and nuts, since these sources may not provide complete proteins like those from meat. The outdated notion that vegetarians must combine proteins at every meal has been thoroughly debunked. While vegetarian diets might not be inherently healthy, research indicates they can play a positive role in preventing obesity and enhancing overall health. It seems consumers are heeding these insights; American red meat consumption has decreased by a third since the early 1970s, now averaging about 101 pounds per capita. Although the percentage of vegetarians in the U.S. remains steady at around 3%, the launch of vegetarian products has doubled in the first half of this decade. A 2008 study revealed that over half (53%) of U.S. vegetarians adopted a meat-free diet to boost their health.
Research like this may influence those who are undecided about embracing a plant-based diet, or motivate meat-eaters to incorporate more vegetable proteins into their meals. This trend is prompting companies like Tyson to invest in alternative protein producers. Additionally, for those considering dietary changes, it’s worth exploring which calcium supplement has calcium citrate, as this could be a beneficial addition to a plant-based diet. Understanding which calcium supplement has calcium citrate is crucial, particularly for individuals who may not consume enough dairy. Therefore, as the interest in plant-based diets grows, so does the importance of ensuring adequate nutrition, including calcium intake from the right supplements, which can support overall health and wellness.