Fruits/ Vegetables/ Healthy Food

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New German Dietary Guidelines Recommend Eating at Least 75% Plant-Based Foods

The German nutrition society Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung (DGE) has updated its dietary guidelines, taking into account sustainability as well as health. Developed with a mathematical optimisation model, the guidelines recommend that diets should be made up of at least 75% plant-based foods. Legumes (such as beans, peas, and lentils) now have their own separate recommendation, while eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is emphasized more than previously. The guidelines advise that meat consumption should be limited to a maximum of 300g a week, while dairy recommendations have been reduced from three to two daily servings. Plant-based fats such as vegetable oils are preferred over animal sources like butter, while water and unsweetened tea are the recommended beverages. For those who do …

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Algae-based omega-3 supplements

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Algae-Based Omega-3 Supplements May Have More Cardiovascular Benefits Than Fish Oil

A clinical trial has demonstrated that a type of algae-based omega-3 supplement (AlmegaPL, the functional ingredient in products made by US brand iwi life) may support cardiovascular health more effectively than traditional fish oils. The algae oil was found to decrease triglycerides by 14%, four times what would be expected from conventional omega-3 supplements. It also reduced remnant cholesterol by up to 25%, supporting theories that EPA-only omega-3s may perform better than those containing both EPA and DHA (two types of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids). There was no increase in LDL cholesterol in those taking AlmegaPL, whereas supplements containing both types of fatty acid have been shown to raise cholesterol levels. Unexpectedly, 12 weeks of supplementation also reduced hip circumference and body weight compared to …

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Seaweed tampons

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Successful Seed Round: Vyld Secures Seven-Figure Amount with Regenerative Financing Model

Berlin startup Vyld relies on an innovative financing instrument with the Future Profit Partnership Agreement (FPPA) and also receives funding from the BMBF and the EU. Vyld, a profit-for-purpose company, has effectively developed renewable products and an innovative financing model. The company recently completed its seed funding round, securing a seven-figure sum. This funding includes contributions from the federal government and the EU, supplemented by their unique sustainable financing tool, the Future Profit Partnership Agreement (FPPA). World’s first seaweed tampon The current round of financing enables the market entry of the “Tangpon“, the world’s first tampon made from seaweed, as well as the further development of the Algaeverse portfolio for B2B and B2C. Self-titled “ecopreneurs,” Ines Schiller and Melanie Schichan say they are committed to …

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health and plantbased,

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A Multi-Problem Solution: Why Hospitals Are Serving Plant-Based by Default

With the well-known health benefits of a whole foods plant-based diet, plant-based catering is the obvious choice for hospital canteens and in-patient meals. Given our evolving knowledge on the harms of these animal products, serving such foods in hospitals is becoming increasingly incongruous with the mission of healthcare providers. One group of doctors stated: “It’s the equivalent to distributing cigarettes in the pulmonary care unit.”[1] By embracing plant-based menus, hospitals can improve patient and public health, and directly mitigate the chronic and public health risks they continually combat. How are hospitals transitioning to plant-based catering? The New Food Hub’s recent article spotlights the case study of New York’s public hospitals. An effort spearheaded by New York Mayor and plant-based advocate Eric Adams, the initiative to …

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PhytoLove plant-based omega-3

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PhytoLove Launches Complete Plant-Based Omega Supplement in Australia Made From Regeneratively Grown Seed

Australian company PhytoLove has launched a new type of plant-based omega supplement that aims to address the limitations of other products in the category. The most common type of omega-3 supplement is fish oil, which contributes to overfishing and can contain pollutants such as dioxins, PCBs, and heavy metals. Some consumers seeking a more ethical alternative have turned to plant-based products such as flax oil, which contains good levels of the short-chain fatty acid ALA but may not convert well to longer-chain fatty acids such as DHA and EPA. PhytoLove’s product, Ahiflower, is made from a wild plant that was discovered in the UK. Its main ingredient is Buglossoides arvensis seed oil, which is said to provide a complete lipid profile containing or efficiently forming …

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A bowl of mycoprotien meatballs

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New Study Highlights the Potential of Mycelium as a Nutritious Solution to World Hunger

A new study authored by leading food scientists, including Harold H. Schmitz, Chair of the Scientific Board of Meati Foods, explores the potential of mycelium, the roots of filamentous fungi, to improve human health, support a sustainable food system, and to reduce food insecurity, malnutrition, and world hunger. According to the authors, mycelium is a cost-effective alternative to animal meat: it delivers meaty texture and neutral flavor while offering high-quality proteins, fibers, and essential micronutrients (iron, zinc, and vitamin B12), holding the potential to improve public health.  Additionally, its production is scalable, affordable, and fast. They also highlight the potential of mycelium in addressing environmental concerns in food production since it is environmentally sustainable, with the additional surplus of helping reduce food waste through fermentation. According to the …

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Vegan protein sources- EIT Food calls for innovative policymaking on protein diversification to address the challenges of the food system Challenges

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New Study Finds Plant-Based Diets Reduce Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease

The Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease has published a detailed study on the role of diets in modifying the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The findings show that regimes that include more vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and fruits reduce the chance of developing this terrible neurodegenerative disorder. According to the paper, more plant-based diets, like the Mediterranean and traditional diets in China, Japan, and India, have been demonstrated to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, contrary to the Western diet. The researchers also found that AD rates are rising in these countries as they adopt Western-style eating habits.  The review, which also investigates which foods reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, outlines the protective foods against AD: green leafy vegetables, colorful fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, omega-3 fatty acids, and …

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FAO conducted a foresight exercise to explore and evaluate future safety issues of plant-based food products, precision fermentation, and 3D food printing.

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Are Plant-Based, Precision Fermentation, and 3D Printed Products Less Safe to Eat than Conventional Foods?

A recent meeting for food safety assessment on New Food Sources and Production Systems (NFPS) organized by The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) conducted a foresight exercise to explore and evaluate future safety issues of plant-based, precision fermentation, and 3D printed food products. After the exercise and the evaluation of the current food safety standards, the meeting concluded that, in general, the food safety hazards of these NFPS are similar to those of conventional foods. However, they emphasize that new production and processing technologies can introduce unique conditions within a specific NFPS, requiring careful monitoring and consideration from a food safety standpoint. They also added that it was important always to consider the intended uses of final products when conducting safety assessments on …

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Fruits/ Vegetables/ Healthy Food

Liliya Trott - stock.adobe.com

Study: Vegan Diets Can Improve Cardiovascular Health Within Two Months

A new study by Stanford Medicine has explored the effects of vegan diets on cardiovascular health over an eight-week period. The study took 22 pairs of identical twins without cardiovascular disease, placing one twin from each pair on a balanced omnivorous diet and the other on a vegan diet. For the first four weeks, the participants received meals from a delivery service; for the final four, they prepared their own meals. A registered dietitian was on call to give nutritional advice and suggestions. The results show considerable health benefits to a vegan diet, particularly regarding low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. LDL-C transports cholesterol around the body, and should ideally be below 100 mg/DL. At the beginning of the study, participants in the vegan group had …

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ProVeg NFH plant based meat health

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Study Finds Plant-Based Meat Products Are “Often Healthier Than Animal-Based Meat Products”

Although plant-based foods are a staple for many, some consumers question whether plant-based meat products adhere to nutritional guidelines, can rival traditional meat options, and contribute to a healthy diet. A new study by ProVeg shows that plant-based meat alternatives are often a healthier choice than the animal-based meat products they replace. This information has the potential to be groundbreaking in persuading health-conscious consumers to opt for plant-based meats instead of those derived from animals. The study,[1] led by ProVeg Netherlands, compared the nutritional value of 130 meat substitutes available in Dutch supermarkets with 41 animal-based reference products. For the meat substitutes, the researchers used the nutritional information as shown on the packaging. For the animal-based reference products, ProVeg took the nutritional values from the …

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juicy marbles' plant-based whole cut loin pictured on a wooden board and being cut by a man

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Report Finds Plant-Based Meat a Healthy Option: Challenging Ultra-Processed Myths

A new report by the Good Food Institute Europe suggests that plant-based meat in Europe offers a good nutritional profile on average, which may lead to various health advantages. The report, reviewed by food scientists and health experts, analyzed recent studies conducted in Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden comparing plant-based and animal meat, to determine the nutritional profile of plant-based meat against EU guidelines. According to the figures, plant-based meats are a source of fiber, bioavailable proteins, and micronutrients, with low saturated fat. On the contrary, animal meat lacks fiber, is high in saturated fat, and can contain traces of antibiotics and bacteria. Furthermore, plant-based meat, which meets the EU definition of high-protein foods, offers similar protein calories to conventional meat in all categories …

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ProVeg Czech plant-based nutrition course

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ProVeg Czechia Qualifies 137 New Plant-Based Nutritionists in Successful 5th Cohort

ProVeg Czechia, an NGO that advocates for plant-based diets, recently launched a certified course in plant-based nutrition, with the lessons rooted in the latest nutritional research, including practical guidance on how to apply the newly acquired knowledge. After passing the final test, graduates receive a certificate of qualification and the opportunity to be featured in ProVeg’s database of certified nutrition experts. The course has just graduated 137 people, its fifth cohort since the course began. The organisation reports that the certification of participants is a rigorous process, ensuring that each member added to the database possesses the expertise required for providing sound advice. The course sees consistently high attendance, which ProVeg says bodes well for the future and the expansion of the expert database, as …

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Santiago games 2023 logo

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Athletes at the Pan American Games Santiago 2023 Have Vegan Options for the First Time

The celebration of the Pan American Games starting today and ending on November 5 for the Pan American Games and from November 17-26 for the Parapan American Games will feature a varied offer that will include vegan options for the first time. For context, in Chile, 43% of consumers recently stated they are reducing their consumption of animal-based foods, and in another study, 73% responded that they are likely or very likely to consume a plant-based product given that it is of equal or better nutritional quality than the animal-based alternative. This initiative has counted on the collaboration of the Santiago 2023 Corporation and the Vegetarianos Hoy Foundation, which has actively participated in the review and suggestions to veganize some of the planned menu preparations. …

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pregnant woman mixing salad

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Study: Plant-Based Diets Could Reduce Risk of Hypertensive Disorders During Pregnancy

A recent study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology sheds light on the potential impact of plant-based diets on reducing the risk of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. The research, conducted over nearly two decades, followed 11,459 women and observed a total of 16,780 pregnancies, offering valuable insights into the relationship between diet and pregnancy outcomes. The study aimed to determine whether adhering to plant-based diets before and during pregnancy could influence the risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, such as preeclampsia and gestational hypertension. The researchers hypothesized that women who followed predominantly plant-based diets would have a reduced risk of developing these conditions. The dietary choices of the participants were re-assessed every four years, and this data was used to assign a …

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Plant-based tacos

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Plant-Based Diets Combat the Obesity and Climate Crises, Says Top EU Scientific Advisor

Plant-based diets promote human health, combat climate change, and foster a more sustainable food system, highlights Eric Lambin, a member of the European Commission’s Group of Chief Scientific Advisors and co-author of Towards Sustainable Food Consumption. In a recent interview published in Horizon magazine, Lambin, a geography and sustainability science professor at UCLouvain, Belgium, discussed the need for a more sustainable and healthy food system.  “We are now facing a public health crisis – with widespread overweight, obesity and malnutrition issues — and a global environmental crisis,” he told Horizon. To tackle obesity and climate change, Lambin recommends shifting towards plant-based diets, emphasizing legumes, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, reducing meat consumption, and prioritizing sustainably sourced fish and seafood. He also noted the need to reduce …

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Havredals' fava beans

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The BeanMan Study in Finland Examines Effects on Male Health of Legume Protein Compared to Meat

A study conducted at the University of Helsinki showed that partial replacement of red and processed meat with foods based on peas and broad beans (also known as faba or fava beans) ensures an adequate intake of amino acids in the diet and does not negatively affect bone metabolism. “Reducing the consumption of red and processed meat in the diet to the ceiling of the Planetary Health Diet while increasing the consumption of legumes grown in Finland, such as peas and field beans, is safe from a protein nutrition perspective. Bone health is also not affected by such dietary changes,” says PhD student Suvi Itkonen from the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry. For the BeanMan study, 102 Finnish men followed a study diet for six …

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poke bowl - Impact Food

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New Study Finds Healthy Plant-Based Diets Slow Down Aging Process

A new study has found that adopting a healthy plant-based diet can slow down the human body’s aging process.  The study was conducted among a large group of Asian participants over a long period of time to determine the connection between plant-based diets and aging. But since the aging process is complex and varies among individuals, the researchers used a newly developed biological age biomarker, called MDAge, to measure aging in the study participants to understand it better.  MDAge integrates multiple biomarkers relevant to physical functions and provides information about overall health. This tool was found to be a more accurate measure of aging than chronological age, as it better predicted all-cause mortality, explain the authors.  Using these biomarkers, the researchers identified three distinct aging trajectories, …

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Beyond Steak

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Beyond Meat Takes Back the Narrative, Shows Why Plant Meat Should be “Celebrated, Not Vilified” in New Multi Phase Ad Campaign

Beyond Meat today launches the There’s Goodness Here campaign which aims to bring transparency to the process behind its plant meat products. In response to the current narrative around “processed”, the plant leader defines “process” as “a series of steps taken in order to achieve a particular end,” and says it “is taking back the narrative to showcase why the clean and simple steps in [its] process should be celebrated, not vilified.” The marketing initiative states, “In an increasingly noisy landscape where it can be hard for consumers to navigate between fact and fiction, the new campaign is focused on demystifying the process behind the creation of the company’s delicious, nutritious, and sustainable plant-based meat products.” Today, the multi-phase campaign kicks off with a video …

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meati-mushroom-ramen-bowl

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Physicians Association for Nutrition: Plant-Based Meat is a “Healthy & Sustainable” Alternative to Animal Foods

International NGO the Physicians Association for Nutrition (PAN) has published a paper outlining its position on plant-based meat products. PAN says it recommends legumes, nuts, seeds, tofu, tempeh, and wholegrains as the healthiest and most environmentally sustainable protein options. However, the organization recognizes that plant-based meat products can provide a “healthy, sustainable and convenient alternative to meat”, particularly for those who have limited time or cooking skills. According to PAN, there can be significant variations in nutritional value between different alt meat brands, and consumers should attempt to choose those which are low in saturated fat and salt. Opting for products that have been fortified with micronutrients such as vitamin B12 is also recommended. The NGO says it supports plant-based meat brands in reformulating and …

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DSM tuna

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Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Health Benefits Beyond Fish

As a high-quality and often lean protein, fish is highly regarded worldwide as part of a balanced diet. Be it a flaky, white cod or an oily mackerel, the health benefits of eating fish are numerous and well-known. One of fish’s main selling points is that it’s a tasty and convenient way of getting the eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) – also known as omega-3 fatty acids – which we all need for good health. What makes these omega-3 fatty acids so important? The human body can make most varieties of fat it needs. But omega-3 fatty acids are different, these can only be obtained from food, drinks, and supplements. There is also a lot of variety within omega-3s. EPA and DHA long-chain …

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