Health

los angeles skyline

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LA County Expands Plant-Based Food Procurement to Cut Emissions

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has just approved a motion to increase the procurement of plant-based foods across county departments, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote public health. The unanimous decision builds on legislation enacted in 2023 and introduces specific targets and measures for food programs at county facilities. Under the updated guidelines, county food services are encouraged to adopt a 2-to-1 ratio of plant-based to animal-based entrees. Additionally, all county food programs are required to provide a daily vegan meal option and plant-based dairy alternatives. Local sourcing will also be prioritized to support regional growers and reduce supply chain emissions. “As our region’s largest employer, we have a responsibility to ensure county facilities have a positive environmental impact,” said Supervisor …

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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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Study Finds That Vegans Have Healthier Gut Microbiomes Than Omnivores

A study conducted by science and nutrition company ZOE has compared the gut microbiomes of meat-eaters, vegetarians, and vegans to determine which are the healthiest. When assessed using the Healthful Plant-Based Diet Index, the vegans in the study had the healthiest diets, followed by the vegetarians and finally the omnivores. Stool samples indicated that the gut microbiome compositions of the three groups were significantly different, with each having its own microbial “signature”. Omnivores had higher numbers of gut bacteria linked to inflammation, including those associated with inflammatory bowel disease. Some of these species are linked to an increased risk of colon cancer and poor cardiometabolic health. On the other hand, vegan gut microbiomes had more species of bacteria that specialize in fermenting fiber. They also …

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Plant-based food pyramid

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New 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans Place Emphasis on Plant Proteins, Potentially Saving Hundreds of Thousands of Lives

The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) may see significant changes based on a new report from the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC). For the first time, the committee has recommended placing greater emphasis on plant-based proteins. The changes were originally discussed during the DGAC’s seventh and final public meeting on October 21-22, 2024, where the committee reviewed feedback and finalized its recommendations. Under the new guidelines, plant-based foods will be prioritized over animal-derived proteins, such as meat, eggs, and dairy, which have been linked to higher levels of saturated fat.  Additionally, legumes such as beans, peas, and lentils would be officially recognized as protein sources rather than being categorized solely as vegetables. This change aims to offer a clearer understanding of protein-rich foods in …

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Healthcare professional holding heart-shaped bowl of nutrient-rich foods emphasizing balanced diet for cardiovascular health

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Harvard Study Links More Plant Proteins and Less Meat to Lower Heart Disease Risk

Shifting diets to incorporate more plants and less meat is recommended for environmental and health benefits, including heart health. Researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health have found that consuming more plant-based than animal-based proteins is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD). Since most diet recommendations do not mention optimal meal portions, the researchers embarked on a study to examine the associations between different plant-to-animal protein ratios and CVD risk. They analyzed 30 years of data from approximately 203,000 adults in the US, including diet, lifestyle, and heart health, with dietary intake reported every four years. The study also assessed the joint effects of the plant-to-animal protein ratio with protein density (percentage of total calories …

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Are plant based foods more nutritional

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Are Plant-Based Alternatives Healthier? Nutritional Review Offers Surprising Insights

With plant-based foods making their way onto more plates, consumers are asking critical questions: are these alternatives as nutritious as traditional meat and dairy products, and are they healthy? ProVeg International’s latest study takes a deep dive into the nutritional profiles of 422 meat alternatives and 251 plant-based milk products across 11 countries, comparing them to their animal-based counterparts. The findings reveal a complex but encouraging picture. On average, plant-based meat alternatives have a higher nutritional quality than animal-based meat, with significantly lower levels of saturated fat and vastly more fibre. Plant-based meat alternatives also contain good amounts of protein – a nutrient that is often up for question. Plant-based milk also stands out, with lower fat and sugar levels compared to cow’s milk, while …

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chickpea tempeh

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Scientific Study Reveals Which Meat Alternatives Offer the Most Health & Environmental Benefits

A study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) has ranked different types of meat alternatives to determine which is best from the perspective of health, the environment, and cost. Titled A multicriteria analysis of meat and milk alternatives from nutritional, health, environmental, and cost perspectives, the study was led by Dr Marco Springmann from the Environmental Change Institute at the University of Oxford and the Institute for Global Health at University College London. The findings indicate that legumes such as beans and peas are the best meat alternative; if chosen over meat and dairy, they would reportedly reduce nutritional imbalances in high-income countries by half and mortality from diet-related diseases by a tenth. Environmental impacts (such as emissions, land …

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German style sausages

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Report: Plant-Based Meat & Milk Have Similar or Better Nutritional Profiles Than Animal Products

Research conducted by ProVeg International in 11 countries has found that plant-based meat alternatives have a better overall nutritional profile than conventional meat, while milk alternatives have similar nutritional properties to cow’s milk. The survey, the results of which have been compiled in a report, evaluated 422 meat alternatives and 251 milk alternatives in Belgium, Czechia, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Poland, South Africa, Spain, the UK, and the US. Scoring was based on internationally recognized guidelines — the WHO Nutrients Profile model (NPM), the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, and the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA’s) nutrition claim legislation. Meat alternatives were found to have less saturated fat and significantly more fibre than animal meat, while milk alternatives contained less total fat and less saturated fat …

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Planetary Health Diet

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Proposed US Dietary Guidelines Prioritize Plant Proteins Over Meat for the First Time

The US Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (USDA) are currently reviewing proposed updates to the 2025 Dietary Guidelines that would shift emphasis toward plant-based proteins, a significant adjustment from traditional recommendations.  The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee held its seventh and final meeting on October 21, 2024, where a preliminary plan proposed to prioritize plant-based protein sources over animal-based ones. This meeting, hosted by the National Institutes of Health, is part of a larger initiative to revise the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which are updated every five years. Key among the proposed changes is a restructuring of the “protein foods” category, which traditionally prioritized meat, eggs, poultry, and seafood. Under the new guidelines, the plant-based category of nuts, seeds, and soy products …

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woman eating plant-based

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New Study Links Plant-Rich Diet to Slower Biological Aging in Women

In a recent study, researchers from Northern Arizona University, the Nutritional Research Foundation, and the epigenetics company TruDiagnostic observed slower biological aging and lower inflammation levels in women who follow a plant-rich diet. This diet, called the “Nutritarian” diet, focuses on foods packed with vitamins, minerals, and plant-based nutrients, such as vegetables, beans, nuts, and seeds. The study analyzed two groups of women: 48 who had followed the Nutritarian diet for over five years and a similar group of 49 who followed a typical American diet, which includes more processed foods, red meat, and higher sugar and fat content. Using advanced DNA tests, the researchers tracked specific markers in the body associated with aging and inflammation to see if these dietary patterns influenced health at …

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New campaign aims to make plant-based meals the default in hospitals

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1,200+ Health Professionals & 24 Organisations Call on NHS to Offer Default Plant-Based Meals in Hospitals

A new campaign called Plants First Healthcare, led by senior NHS doctors, has called on UK hospitals to offer plant-based meals by default to benefit human and planetary health. All NHS trusts and healthcare leaders across the UK have received an open letter supporting the campaign, signed by 24 healthcare organisations representing more than 1 million members. These include the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change, the British Dietetic Association (BDA) Sustainable Diets Group, the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare, and Nuffield Health, among others. Additionally, the letter has been signed by over 1,000 healthcare professionals, including high-profile doctors such as Professor Tim Spector, Dame Parveen Kumar, and Dr Fiona Godlee. Notable climate campaigners like TV presenter Chris Packham and journalist George Monbiot have also added …

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New York City Health and Hospitals

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Default Plant-Based Meals at New York City Health + Hospitals See Over 90% Patient Satisfaction

Since 2021, plant-based meals have been the default option for patients at New York City Health + Hospitals. Now, a new paper published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine has found that the policy has high patient satisfaction, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and lowers costs. Patient acceptance of the plant-based meals, which are the primary lunch and dinner option at 11 hospitals, is extremely high at more than 95%. Patient satisfaction is not far behind, reaching over 90%. Calculations indicate that the hospital system’s emissions have reduced by 36% as a result of the plant-based menu, while the cost of the plant-based entrees is $0.59 less than for meals containing animal products. This saved a total of $318,000 in 2023. The program has been …

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Jasmine Uchi, PharmD

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Op Ed: Jasmine Uchi of VeganMed – Hidden Animal Ingredients in Medicine Put Patients at Risk

Dr. Jasmine Uchi, is the Director of Medical Affairs and Operations at VeganMed, Inc. and an adjunct professor at the University of the Pacific’s Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy. Often referred to as the “alpha-gal pharmacist,” Dr. Uchi is recognized for her expertise in addressing Alpha-gal Syndrome, a potentially life-threatening allergy. She has made significant contributions to patient safety and health equity through her published research, which has gained attention across multiple media platforms. Additionally, Dr. Uchi is a registered pharmacist and a TEDx speaker, passionately advocating for ingredient transparency in medicine to promote safer and more inclusive healthcare practices.  In this article, she discusses the critical need for transparency regarding animal-derived ingredients in medications. The Hidden Ingredients in Our Medications: Why Pharma Must …

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Sperri plant-based meal replacement beverage

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Plant-Based Meal Replacement Brand Sperri to Expand Into the US Following New Investment

Sperri, a Canadian brand of organic and allergen-free plant-based meal replacement beverages, has announced a new investment. Led by Nàdarra Ventures and supported by Invest Nova Scotia, the funding will allow Sperri to expand into the US and develop new products. Sperri was co-founded by Gregg Curwin, President and CEO of nutrition company Novagevity, and Dr. Mary Lynch, a physician and pain management specialist. Lynch was inspired to develop the beverages after noticing that many of her patients struggled to tolerate existing meal replacements due to ingredients such as dairy, gluten, refined sugars, and soy protein. To come up with a solution, Lynch partnered with Curwin, a seasoned entrepreneur. Their collaboration resulted in the development of Sperri, which is said to be Canada’s first organic …

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child of color, school cafeteria, food security, social justice, impossible foods, Colin Kaepernick, Know Your Rights Camp

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New USDA Rules Expand Vegan Options in School Meals

USDA’s new school meal standards will give greater access to nutritious foods for vegetarian and vegan children and those with dietary restrictions. This is an important step, as research indicates that school meals are American schoolchildren’s most important food source. The new rules, which took effect on July 1, 2024, were released by USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) consistent with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. They aim to improve the nutritional quality of school meals and other USDA Child Nutrition Programs. Beans, peas, and lentils Under the new rules, schools can combine grains, meats, and meat alternatives as meal components. Beans, peas, and lentils can replace meat at lunch, and cafeterias can offer dishes such as black bean burgers stir-fried with tofu, falafel …

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Report analyses health and sustainability of plant-based meat alternative categories

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Report: All Plant-Based Meat Alternative Categories Have Lower Emissions, Less Saturated Fat & More Fibre Than Meat

A new report by The Food Foundation has analysed the environmental and health benefits of a variety of plant-based meat alternatives. The products are divided into three categories — new-generation meat alternatives such as Beyond Meat and Quorn, traditional meat alternatives like tofu and tempeh, and whole plant foods such as beans and grains. The results indicate that all three categories generate significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions than meat and have a much lower water footprint. On average, they also contain fewer calories, lower levels of saturated fat, and more fibre. Overall, the whole food category was found to be the healthiest and most sustainable, with the highest fibre content and the lowest amounts of saturated fat, calories, and salt. These products are also more …

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AHDB campaign condemned by The Vegan Society

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The Vegan Society: UK Government-Backed Meat Campaign is “Irresponsible Propaganda”

The Vegan Society has condemned a UK advertising campaign promoting the consumption of red meat, which has been launched by the government-sponsored Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB). According to The Vegan Society, the Let’s Eat Balanced campaign is “irresponsible propaganda”, since it contradicts recommendations by health and sustainability bodies. The charity points out that NHS guidance recommends eating no more than 70g of red or processed meat per day, since these products have been linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancer by the World Health Organization. While the AHDB campaign suggests eating meat as a source of protein and vitamin B12, the British Dietetic Association (BDA) says these nutrients can be easily obtained on a plant-based diet. Furthermore, the BDA recognises that plant-based …

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Plant-Based Foods of Canada

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Study: Plant-Based Diets May Significantly Decrease Age Acceleration in Just Eight Weeks

A new study has found that plant-based diets could significantly decrease epigenetic age acceleration, effectively slowing the biological aging process. The study took 21 pairs of 39-year-old twins, with one twin from each pair consuming a healthy vegan diet and the other eating a balanced omnivorous diet. After a period of just eight weeks, the plant-based twins showed significant decreases in overall epigenetic age acceleration compared to the omnivorous participants. They also lost two kilograms more than the meat-eaters on average, due to consuming 200 fewer calories per day. Reduced disease processes The research found that the plant-based eaters showed reductions in key system-specific disease processes, including inflammation and the heart, liver, metabolic, and hormonal systems. The authors note that these findings align with the …

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animal vs plant proteins

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Upcoming Report to Address “Tidal Wave”of Nutrition Misinformation on Social Media

The Freedom Food Alliance has announced a strategic partnership with Rooted Research Collective to publish a new report titled Nutrition Misinformation in the Digital Age. The report aims to address the spread of inaccurate dietary information on social media, after a recent survey found that 57% of Millennial and Gen Z TikTok users have been swayed by nutrition trends on the platform. A huge 98% of these trends, including extreme ones such as the carnivore diet and liquid cleanses, are said to go against public health and nutrition guidelines. 31% of users who have tried them say they experienced negative health effects. To raise awareness of this issue, the upcoming report will highlight the influence of social media on dietary trends by analyzing the spread …

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Norwegian dietary guidelines

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Norway Becomes Latest Country to Recommend Eating Mostly Plants in New Dietary Guidelines

Norway has published updated dietary guidelines that recommend choosing mostly plant-based foods and limiting red and processed meat consumption. The guidelines advise that all meals should include fruits and vegetables, while several servings of whole grains should be eaten each day. Meanwhile, the maximum recommended red meat consumption has been lowered from 500g to 350g per week, and people are advised to eat as little processed meat as possible. The protein group in the food wheel now contains legumes and tofu as well as meat and seafood, and the recommendations suggest replacing some or all of the meat in certain dishes with beans or lentils. Low-fat dairy consumption is still recommended as a source of calcium, but the guidelines acknowledge that plant-based alternatives are a …

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Silk almond milk

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Listeria Outbreak in Plant-Based Milk: It’s Time to Give Some Context to the Reality of the Situation

A Listeria outbreak linked to Silk and Great Value plant-based milk products in Canada has recently made headlines, causing significant concern among consumers and prompting a large-scale recall by Danone Canada, the parent company of Silk. The food giant recalled 18 different products in Canada, including three almond beverages under the Great Value brand, all produced at a third-party manufacturing facility in Pickering, Ontario. Although the investigation into the exact cause of the outbreak is ongoing, this incident has raised questions about food safety in the plant-based sector. Listeria is a genus of bacteria, with Listeria monocytogenes being the most significant species concerning human health. This pathogen can cause listeriosis, a severe infection, especially in vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and …

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