Not only cheaper but also healthier: scientists have listed alternatives to popular products.

A recent study has revealed that transitioning from animal-based products to a plant-based diet can significantly impact human health, environmental sustainability, and consumer spending. The research examined various meat and dairy alternatives, ranging from minimally processed options like beans and tempeh to processed products such as vegetarian burgers, plant-based milk, and innovative solutions like lab-grown meat, as reported by The Conversation.

According to the study published in the journal PNAS, legumes, including soy, peas, and beans, stand out as the most advantageous substitutes for meat and dairy. In high-income countries like the UK and the US, adopting a diet rich in these unprocessed plant foods could greatly reduce nutritional imbalances and associated diet-related diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

From an ecological perspective, cultivating legumes instead of raising livestock could cut land and water usage by more than half while significantly lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, food costs could decrease by over a third, making this dietary shift economically attractive, according to Marco Springmann, a senior researcher in environmental and health issues at the University of Oxford and author of the study.

Processed plant products, such as vegetarian burgers and plant-based milk, also offer significant advantages, although their ecological and health benefits are somewhat lower than those of legumes. They remain more affordable than traditional animal products, yet they have higher production costs and emissions due to the energy required for processing. Despite these drawbacks, they still outperform meat and dairy in reducing carbon footprints and increasing fiber and nutrient intake, particularly when they replace animal fats and cholesterol in diets, according to Springmann.

Tempeh, a fermented soy product, has also emerged as a viable alternative, combining the health benefits of whole soybeans with low processing and cost requirements. This sets it apart from other processed alternatives, providing a practical and nutritious dietary option.

In contrast, lab-grown meat ranked low in this comparison. Its current production is energy-intensive, leading to greenhouse gas emissions comparable to conventional beef, and its cost is prohibitively high, explains Springmann. While technological advancements may reduce these barriers in the future, current data suggest that lab-grown meat is neither a healthy nor an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional meat or plant substitutes.

The researchers advocate for policy measures to encourage the consumption of sustainable and nutritious plant-based foods. Shifting towards a diet based on legumes and whole grains could not only enhance human health and the planet's well-being but also fit within the budgets of most families, demonstrating that choosing healthy food does not have to be more expensive, the authors believe.

Important! This article is based on the latest scientific and medical research and does not contradict them. The text is for informational purposes only and does not contain medical advice. For diagnosis, please consult a physician.