With the need for food systems and diets to align with global environmental and health goals, plant-based alternatives that mimic animal products provide a convenient option for consumers. But what are the real benefits of these alternatives?
A recent study conducted by researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and published in Nutrition Reviews has found that many plant-based alternatives to meat and dairy have the potential to be healthier, more nutrient-rich, and achieve a net-zero impact on the environment compared to animal-based foods (ABFs).
The researchers reviewed more than 90 studies and reports published in the past seven years to assess the benefits of novel food plant-based alternatives (NPBFs) in high-income countries with food security, where meat and dairy consumption tends to be very high.
“To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review assessing the published peer-reviewed and grey literature evidence from studies that evaluated nutrient, and health and environmental impacts or benefits of NPBFs,” the authors say.
High fiber and lower fat
Regarding nutrition, the researchers found that plant-based alternatives generally offer higher fiber and lower saturated fat and calorie content than animal foods, which aligns with dietary recommendations. Additionally, they found that products fortified with micronutrients can be nutritionally comparable to animal-based foods.
The researchers suggest distinguishing between ultra-processed and less-processed plant-based alternatives is crucial when assessing nutrient and health impacts. They alert that not all products are identical because nutritional profiles vary depending on processing methods and primary ingredients.
Individual and planetary health
In terms of health, they identified research gaps in the health impacts of plant-based alternatives such as yogurts, cheese, eggs, and other plant-based beverages, pointing out the need for further research on the health impacts of plant-based foods.
However, while plant-based whole foods continue to be the top choice for health reasons, they found evidence of the positive health effects of plant-based meat and the risk of preventing noncommunicable diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease, and diabetes.
From an environmental perspective, plant-based foods typically have a smaller footprint than animal-based products. According to the researchers, review evidence shows that plant-based alternatives to meat, cheese, eggs, and yogurt emit less GHG (94.3%) and have reduced water resource usage (92.6% ) and less land use (89.5%). However, they suggest it is essential to carefully interpret the exact numerical results of these comparisons and consider a wide range of environmental impact categories in the life cycle assessment.
A stepping stone in the process
In the conclusions, the researchers advocate for more transparent labeling to help consumers make more informed choices and regulations on food standards to facilitate adoption. They also suggest addressing common barriers to adopting plant-based alternatives, such as cooking skills, taste and appearance changes, and social stigma, which could help propel the transition to plant-based diets.
The study states: “Although PB whole foods remain the preferred option on health grounds, some NPBFs have potential for being a useful stepping stone in the process of food system and dietary transformation, functioning as a healthy and environmentally friendly alternative to ABFs, if carefully selected.”
