Consumption Of Plant-based Foods Research Articles

Establishing a healthy and sustainable diet in diabetes management: a social marketing approach

Abstract Background In recent years, there has been evidence that diets based on plant-based products have positive results in the management of type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, their adoption remains low. Objectives To evaluate and understand food consumption of people with T2D; and to define priority groups for intervention using a social marketing approach. Methodology An online questionnaire was developed and applied to 832 adults with T2D living in Portugal and France. The questionnaire included the collection of socio-demographic data, health data, as well as data on food consumption, eating habits, awareness and attitudes towards the consumption of plant-based foods. Finally, hands-on food workshops were organized to convey practical knowledge on plant-based food cooking. Results Regarding eating habits, 11% of participants have already excluded or would like to exclude meat products, and 37% would like to consume them in smaller quantities. 35% of the participants intend to increase the intake of plant-based products. The most well-known diets among the participants were the Mediterranean diet (80%) and Low Carb diet (51%). Regarding the Planetary diet, 86% of the participants expressed low or no knowledge. Regarding the consumption of plant-based foods, 61% of participants view them as a desirable and suitable option for people with diabetes. Furthermore, the planetary diet is among the least often recommended by healthcare professionals (1%). The clustering of participants originated five main groups, with two being highlighted as particularly relevant for intervention, namely through knowledge or practical support. Conclusions Overall, participants with T2D seem to have a positive attitude towards increasing the consumption of plant-based products and decreasing the consumption of meat products. Social marketing profiling identified specific clusters which constitute priority target groups for support in shifting to healthier and sustainable diets. Key messages • Social marketing profiling identified specific clusters which constitute priority target groups to support the shift towards plant-based/planetary diets. • Hands-on food workshops were shown to be effective in conveying practical knowledge and motivation about plant-based diets.

Dietary Pattern Trajectories in French Adults Over Time (2014-2022): Role of Socioeconomic Factors

Abstract While dietary transitions towards more plant-based diets are urgently needed, few studies have investigated current diet trajectories, based on observed longitudinal data. This study investigated current dietary transitions of French adults over an 8 years period (2014-2022), while assessing the nutritional quality of the consumed foods and the role of diverse socio-economic factors. Consumption data from 17,187 NutriNet-Santé cohort participants weighted for the French Census were collected using a food frequency questionnaire in 2014, 2018, 2022. Adopting a gender-specific approach, consumption changes in 23 food groups were assessed over time. The nutritional quality was evaluated using the cDQI score, categorizing foods into ‘healthy’ and ‘unhealthy’. The socioeconomic analysis targeted four food groups (red meat, processed meat, legumes and wholegrain products), strongly linked to mortality risk and recognized as significant markers of the sustainable diet transition. All analyses were conducted using multi-adjusted mixed-effects models. Consumption of some healthy plant-based foods (nuts +59 %, legumes +22%, wholegrain products +7%) significantly increased over time; while consumption of some unhealthy foods (red meat -19%, refined cereals -18%, sweet drinks -15%) decreased. Conversely, consumption of prepared and mixed dishes (+16%), processed meat (+35%) and butter (+100%) increased. These changes differed in magnitude between sexes and translated into an improved food quality score (cDQI). Occupational status was linked to longitudinal changes in food consumption, showing increased intake of plant-based foods among students and higher socio-professional categories. Our findings provide accurate data on trends and factors for targeted initiatives, guiding strategic interventions for a sustainable dietary transition. Key messages • Plant-based food consumption increased while unhealthy food intake, both plant and animal-based, decreased; Gender differences were observed in baseline consumption and the extent of changes over time. • Occupational status was linked to longitudinal changes in food consumption. Increased intake of plant-based foods was observed among students and higher socio-professional categories.

European Society for the Study of Obesity (EASO) Position Statement on medical nutrition therapy for the management of individuals with overweight or obesity and cancer.

Obesity, a prevalent and multifactorial disease, is linked to a range of metabolic abnormalities, including insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and chronic inflammation. These imbalances not only contribute to cardiometabolic diseases but also play a significant role in cancer pathogenesis. The rising prevalence of obesity underscores the need to investigate dietary strategies for effective weight management for individuals with overweight or obesity and cancer. This European Society for the Study of Obesity (EASO) position statement aimed to summarize current evidence on the role of obesity in cancer and to provide insights on the major nutritional interventions, including Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet), ketogenic diet (KD), and intermittent fasting (IF), that should be adopted to manage individuals with overweight or obesity and cancer. The MedDiet, characterized by high consumption of plant-based foods and moderate intake of olive oil, fish, and nuts, has been associated with a reduced cancer risk. The KD and the IF are emerging dietary interventions with potential benefits for weight loss and metabolic health. KD, by inducing ketosis, and IF, through periodic fasting cycles, may offer anticancer effects by modifying tumor metabolism and improving insulin sensitivity. Despite the promising results, current evidence on these dietary approaches in cancer management in individuals with overweight or obesity is limited and inconsistent, with challenges including variability in adherence and the need for personalized dietary plans.

Dietary Pattern Trajectories in French Adults of the NutriNet-Santé Cohort Over Time (2014-2022): Role of Socioeconomic Factors.

While dietary transitions towards more plant-based diets are urgently needed, few studies have investigated current diet trajectories, based on observed longitudinal data. This study investigated current dietary transitions of French adults over an 8 years period (2014-2022), while assessing the diet quality and the role of diverse socio-economic factors.Consumption data from 17,187 NutriNet-Santé cohort participants weighted for the French Census were collected using a food frequency questionnaire in 2014, 2018, and 2022. Adopting a gender-specific approach, consumption changes in 23 food groups were assessed over time. The diet quality was evaluated using the Comprehensive Diet Quality Index (cDQI) score, categorizing foods into "healthy" and "unhealthy". The socioeconomic analysis targeted four food groups (red meat (including fresh beef, pork, offal, and lamb), processed meat (e.g. sausages, ham, and bacon), legumes, and wholegrain products), strongly linked to mortality risk and recognized as significant markers of the sustainable diet transition. All analyses were conducted using multi-adjusted mixed-effects models.Consumption of some healthy plant-based foods (nuts +59 %, legumes +22%, wholegrain products +7%) significantly increased over time; while consumption of some unhealthy foods (red meat -19%, refined cereals -18%, sweetened drinks -15%) decreased. Conversely, consumption of prepared and mixed dishes (+16%), and processed meat (+35%) increased. These changes differed in magnitude between genders and translated into an improved diet quality score (cDQI). Occupational status was linked to longitudinal changes in food consumption, showing increased consumption of plant-based foods among students and higher socio-professional categories.Our findings provide accurate data on trends and factors for targeted initiatives, guiding strategic interventions for a sustainable dietary transition.

Examining the effectiveness of promotional nudges increasing plant-based food choices in a post-secondary education dining hall: a pilot study.

To evaluate nudge strategies that increase the consumption of plant-based foods, defined as vegetarian or vegan food items, compared with meat-based options in post-secondary dining hall settings. A pilot study. This study took place in the University of British Columbia Vancouver Campus's Gather Dining Hall (GDH) over a 6-week intervention period and two control periods. The intervention incorporated several nudges (proportion increases, item placement, taste-focused labelling, Chef's featured special verbal prompts, social media and promotional posters) into the menu and dining hall area with the goal of increasing the purchases of plant-based items. Sales data from meals that were purchased during the intervention period were compared with sales data from the two control periods. Students and staff who purchased meals in the GDH. The proportion of plant-based items sold significantly increased during the intervention period (56·7 %; P < 0·01) compared with the last 6 weeks of term one (53·6 %) and the first 6 weeks of term two (53·4 %). The proportion of plant-based 'main' menu items was significantly higher in the intervention period (46·4; P < 0·01) when compared with the last 6 weeks of term one (40·9 %) and the first 6 weeks of term two (41·7 %). The combination of nudges was effective at significantly increasing the selection of plant-based options over meat-based options in a post-secondary dining hall setting.

Plant-based diets and urological health.

Plant-based diets have grown in popularity owing to multiple health and environmental benefits. Some evidence suggests that plant-based diets are associated with benefits for urological health. In genitourinary oncology, most research has focused on prostate cancer. Clinical trial results suggest a favourable influence of healthy lifestyle modifications including plant-based diets before and after prostate cancer treatment. Epidemiological evidence shows that a diet higher in plant-based and lower in animal-based food is associated with a lower risk of aggressive prostate cancer and better quality-of-life scores than a diet with less plant-based and more animal-based food. Studies on bladder and kidney cancer are scarce, but limited data suggest that vegetarian or plant-forward dietary patterns (increased consumption of fruits and vegetables and minimizing meat) are associated with a lower risk of development of these cancers than dietary patterns with fewer fruits and vegetables and more meat. With respect to benign urological conditions, epidemiological studies suggest that plant-based dietary patterns are associated with a lower risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia and urinary tract infections than non-plant-based dietary patterns. Compared with diets high in animal-based foods and low in plant-based foods, a substantial body of epidemiological evidence also suggests that increased consumption of healthy plant-based food is associated with a lower risk of erectile dysfunction. Plant-based dietary patterns that are high in fruits and vegetables with normal calcium intake, while limiting animal protein and salt, are associated with a lower risk of kidney stone development than dietary patterns that do not follow these parameters. Overall, increasing consumption of plant-based foods and reducing intake of animal-based foods has favourable associations with multiple urological conditions.

Role of ultra-processed foods in modulating the effect of Mediterranean diet on human and planet health—study protocol of the PROMENADE randomized controlled trial

BackgroundThe Mediterranean diet (MD), globally recognized for its sustainability and health benefits, traditionally emphasizes the consumption of plant-based foods in raw or minimally processed forms. However, shifting lifestyles, even in Mediterranean regions, have led to an increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF). Epidemiological evidence suggests that UPF consumption may be detrimental to human health, but there is only one clinical trial on this topic which is largely debated in the scientific community. This study aims to investigate the impact of the inclusion of UPF within a Mediterranean-based dietary pattern on cardiometabolic markers, gut microbiota, and other markers of human and planet health.MethodsFifty clinically healthy individuals showing overweight and presenting a low-to-moderate cardiovascular risk profile will be recruited for a 7-month randomized, open, cross-over dietary trial. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to a 3-month high-UPF MD (intervention group) or a low-UPF MD (control group), with a 1-month wash-out period. Both intervention diets will have identical food group compositions, with the intervention group consuming 5 servings/day of selected UPF items, and the control group consuming raw/minimally processed items from the same food group. Blood, urine, and fecal samples, alongside food/lifestyle diaries, will be collected from each participant before and after the dietary interventions. The primary endpoint will be the change in plasma LDL-cholesterol levels from baseline. Additional markers include blood pressure, anthropometric parameters, chemical parameters, glucose and lipid-related metabolic markers, incretins, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers, fecal microbiota composition, and short-chain fatty acids. Finally, food waste production will be evaluated through specific validated food diaries. The study has been approved by the Ethical Committee of the University of Milan and the Tuscany Regional Ethics Committee of the Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (AOU) - Careggi, Florence.DiscussionResults from the PROMENADE study will improve knowledge about the impact of UPF consumption on human and planet health and will contribute to the scientific debate on this topic.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT06314932. Registered on March 13, 2024.

The evolution of animal-based dietary structure has contributed to the increase of healthcare expenditures in China

The trends of diversified diets in China have generated a growing number of nutritional health problems, and healthcare investment is bearing a large burden from the diets, hindering the economic progress of the country and its residents toward affluence. This study linked the evolution of the Chinese dietary structure to changes in health expenditures and predicts future dietary patterns and their impact on health costs over the next 30 years. We found that in the past 30 years, the Chinese dietary structure has shifted towards a nutritional surplus type, and the structure of health expenditures has also shown a trend of two increases and one decrease. The consumption of plant-based foods is significant correlated with lower health expenditures, and animal-based foods show a significant impact on increase of health expenditures. Among nutrients, fat is significant correlated with increased health expenditures, whereas calorie intake is significant correlated with lower health expenditures. By 2030, the Chinese dietary structure will still evolve to a high-protein and high-fatty type. This shift will result in a decrease in per capita healthcare expenditure by 41.66 yuan and increases in household, state, personal, and total healthcare expenditures by 76.83 yuan, 18.76 billion yuan, 95.28 billion yuan, and 17.67 billion yuan, respectively. These findings demonstrate that adjusting dietary structures will bring the dual benefits of improved national health status and a favorable cycle of health expenditures.

Lactic and propionic acid bacteria starter cultures for improved nutritional properties of pea, faba bean and lentil

Increasing plant-based food consumption as a sustainable and health-oriented alternative to meat is pivotal. Pulses are rich in proteins, minerals, and vitamins; however, they also contain antinutritional compounds, impairing their nutritional value. This study addresses this challenge through the development and application of four distinct microbial consortia in pulse-based fermentations, featuring lactic acid bacteria or a combination of lactic and propionic acid bacteria. Microbial starters significantly reduced galacto-oligosaccharides in all pulse materials, concurrently degrading vicine and convicine in faba beans, while the impact on tannins in faba beans and lentil was moderate. Fermentation with lactic acid and propionic acid bacteria consortia exhibited notable vitamin B12 production, and the effect on the content of phenolic compounds of the studied pulses was also evidenced. Additionally, genomic analyses discerned distinctive profiles among the samples, elucidating the microbial community dynamics shaping fermentation outcomes. The results of this study proved how fermentation can advance the development of pulse-based products with improved nutritional and sustainability attributes.

Associations of the planetary health diet index (PHDI) with asthma: the mediating role of body mass index

BackgroundGiven the global shifts in environmental conditions and dietary habits, understanding the potential impact of dietary factors and body mass index (BMI) on respiratory diseases, including asthma, is paramount. Investigating these relationships can contribute to the formulation of more effective prevention strategies. The Planetary Health Diet Index (PHDI), a dietary scoring system that balances human health with environmental sustainability, underscores the importance of increasing the consumption of plant-based foods while reducing the intake of red meat, sugar, and highly processed foods. The objective of this study was to assess the association between PHDI and the prevalence of asthma and the mediation effect of BMI in a US general population.MethodsThis study utilized data from 32,388 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning from 2005 to 2018. Multivariate logistic regression and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regressions were employed to investigate the association between PHDI, individual nutrients, and asthma. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis explored the linear or non-linear relationship between PHDI and asthma. Interaction analyses were conducted on subgroups to validate the findings. Mediation analysis was performed to examine the effect of BMI on the relationship between PHDI and asthma.ResultsThere was a significant negative association between PHDI and asthma. After adjusting for covariates, for every 10-point increase in PHDI, there was a 4% decrease in the prevalence of asthma (P = 0.025). Moreover, as PHDI increased, there was a trend towards lower asthma prevalence (P for trend < 0.05). WQS analyses showed consistent associations (OR = 0.93, 95%CI: 0.88, 0.98), with Fiber, Vitamin C, and Protein significant factors. The dose-response curve indicated a linear association between PHDI and asthma, with higher PHDI associated with lower asthma prevalence. Additionally, BMI is significantly positively associated with asthma (P < 0.001), and BMI decreases as the PHDI increases (β = -0.64, P < 0.001). Mediation analysis indicates that BMI significantly mediates the relationship between PHDI and asthma, with a mediation proportion of 33.85% (P < 0.001).ConclusionThe results of this study show a strong negative correlation between PHDI and the prevalence of asthma. In addition, BMI mediated this negative relationship.

The Role of the Mediterranean Diet in Assisted Reproduction: A Literature Review.

The Mediterranean Diet, characterized by high consumption of plant-based foods, olive oil, moderate intake of fish and poultry, and low consumption of red meat and processed foods, has been suggested to improve assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes. This narrative review aimed to summarize and synthesize the evidence from observational studies on the associations between preconception adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and ART outcomes. PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases were searched to identify relevant studies. Seven observational studies (n = 2321 women undergoing ART) were included. Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet was assessed using food frequency questionnaires with 6-195 items. Three studies found that higher Mediterranean Diet scores were associated with improved clinical pregnancy rates (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.0-1.9; RR 1.98, 95% CI 1.05-3.78) or live birth rates (RR 2.64, 95% CI 1.37-5.07). Two studies showed a positive effect on embryo yield (p = 0.028) and ovarian response. However, two studies reported no significant associations with ultimate ART success, and four studies found no effects on oocyte and embryo number or quality. The heterogeneity in study designs, Mediterranean Diet assessment methods, and ART protocols limited the strength of conclusions. Evidence for the effects of greater adherence to the Mediterranean Diet on ART outcomes is limited but promising. Future research should focus on conducting randomized controlled trials with standardized Mediterranean Diet assessment methods to establish causal relationships between Mediterranean Diet adherence and ART outcomes, and to elucidate potential mechanisms of action.

Adherence to EAT-Lancet reference diet and risk of premature coronary artery diseases: a multi-center case-control study.

In 2019, a globally sustainable dietary pattern that primarily emphasizes the consumption of plant-based foods was proposed by the EAT-Lancet Commission. However, there is limited evidence regarding the association of this diet with coronary events. To determine the association between the EAT-Lancet Reference Diet (ELD) and premature coronary artery disease (PCAD) risk and its severity. This multi-center, case-control study was conducted within the framework of the Iran premature coronary artery disease (I-PAD). A total of 3185 participants aged under 70 years in women and 60 years in men were included. Cases were those whose coronary angiography showed stenosis ≥ 75% in at least one vessel or ≥ 50% in the left main artery (n = 2033), while the controls had normal angiography results (n = 1152). Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Logistic regression was utilized to examine the association between ELD and presence of PCAD. Compared with individuals in the first quartile, those in the highest quartile of ELD (OR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.21, 0.39; P for trend < 0.001) and ELD calculated with minimum intake (OR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.29, 0.52; P < 0.001) had lower risk of PCAD. Individuals in the highest quartile of adherence to the ELD and ELD with minimum intake had 78% and 72% lower risk of having severe PCAD compared with those in the lowest quartile, respectively. An inverse association was observed between adherence to the ELD and PCAD risk and its severity. Large-scale prospective cohort studies are required to confirm these findings.

Dietary Acid Load and Relationship with Diseases

The acid-base balance of the human body is influenced by the nutritional intake and dietary composition of individuals. It is of paramount importance to maintain this equilibrium for the optimal health of humans. The body receives acid or alkaline precursors from dietary intake. In general, the consumption of animal-based foods results in an acid load, whereas the consumption of plant-based foods contributes to an alkaline load. Diets high in dietary acid load cause a state of diet-induced metabolic acidosis, which is associated with the development of cardiometabolic diseases. The significance of dietary acid-base balance in the context of cardiometabolic diseases, which have emerged as a significant contributor to global morbidity, is now being acknowledged in the literature. The objective of this review is to examine the existing evidence concerning the relationship between dietary acid load and chronic diseases and metabolic disorders, as well as the potential mechanisms underlying their development. Keywords: Dietary acid load, non-communicable diseases, potential renal acid load, net endogenous acid production

Increasing the frequency of plant-based food intake in daily diets reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease among elderly Chinese: a cohort study.

There is limited research on the relationship between the frequency of plant-based food intake and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among elderly Chinese. This study aims to evaluate the association between plant-based dietary index (PDI) and CVD risks, providing evidence for elderly Chinese to reduce CVD risks by increasing the frequency of plant-based food consumption. This study analyzed data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) 2011-2018, employing a multivariate modified Poisson regression model, trend tests, and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis to assess the linear and non-linear relationship between the PDI and CVD risks. Subgroup analyses and interaction tests were conducted to evaluate the robustness and population-specificity of the results. This study included a total of 1,414 elderly Chinese, and at the end of follow-up, 487 participants had developed CVD. The multivariate modified Poisson regression model revealed a negative association between PDI and CVD risks [RR = 0.983, 95%CI = (0.970, 0.997)]. Similarly, the multivariate trend test (p = 0.031) and RCS analysis (P for nonlinear = 0.600) indicated a linear relationship between PDI and CVD risks. Subgroup analyses showed that the relationship between PDI and CVD risk was not influenced by gender, BMI, smoking, alcohol use, or exercise. The PDI was negatively correlated with CVD risks, indicating that increasing the frequency of plant-based food intake in the diet may reduce CVD risks among elderly Chinese.

The Influence of Plant-Based Diets on Metabolic Syndrome

The magnification of Western eating habits has contributed to a large increase in the development of several diseases and conditions, namely cardiovascular disease, obesity, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia. These are part of a cluster of metabolic factors involved in metabolic syndrome. However, there are new dietary patterns more focused on the consumption of plant-based foods. Thus, the aim of this review was to investigate the impact of plant-based diets on metabolic syndrome and to achieve the inflammatory mediators and the antioxidant effects involved in this potential health benefits effect. Advanced research was performed for articles published in the last 10 years, which were analyzed and selected according to the defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of the articles analyzed, the majority supported the positive impact of plant-based diets on metabolic syndrome. Furthermore, several studies also showed that these diets appear to have an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant role. Thus, plant-based diets appear to have health benefits, contributing to the prevention of metabolic syndrome, and improving the cardiovascular and metabolic markers’ profile, mainly when including healthy foods. The total exclusion of animal source foods (especially meat and fish) from the diet, as well as the consumption of processed and additive plant-based foods, may contribute to an increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome.

Protein Requirements for Maximal Muscle Mass and Athletic Performance Are Achieved with Completely Plant-Based Diets Scaled to Meet Energy Needs: A Modeling Study in Professional American Football Players.

American football players consume large quantities of animal-sourced protein in adherence with traditional recommendations to maximize muscle development and athletic performance. This contrasts with dietary guidelines, which recommend reducing meat intake and increasing consumption of plant-based foods to promote health and reduce the risk of chronic disease. The capacity of completely plant-based diets to meet the nutritional needs of American football players has not been studied. This modeling study scaled dietary data from a large cohort following completely plant-based diets to meet the energy requirements of professional American football players to determine whether protein, leucine, and micronutrient needs for physical performance and health were met. The Cunningham equation was used to estimate calorie requirements. Nutrient intakes from the Adventist Health Study 2 were then scaled to this calorie level. Protein values ranged from 1.6-2.2 g/kg/day and leucine values ranged from 3.8-4.1 g/meal at each of four daily meals, therefore meeting and exceeding levels theorized to maximize muscle mass, muscle strength, and muscle protein synthesis, respectively. Plant-based diets scaled to meet the energy needs of professional American football players satisfied protein, leucine, and micronutrient requirements for muscle development and athletic performance. These findings suggest that completely plant-based diets could bridge the gap between dietary recommendations for chronic disease prevention and athletic performance in American football players.

Creating a healthy and sustainable food environment to promote plant-based food consumption: clear barriers and a gradual transition

BackgroundA shift away from diets high in animal-based foods towards diets high in plant-based foods is desirable considering human health, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare. As the food environment plays a crucial role in shaping consumption patterns, understanding of how changes in the food environment can facilitate plant-based consumption is crucial for the so-called protein transition. The current study aims to garner insight into barriers and facilitators for food outlet managers to take action to stimulate plant-based consumption within a local food environment.MethodsUsing a maximum-variation sample approach, we examined possible barriers and facilitators to promote plant-based consumption across different types of food outlets located within a geographically shared food environment (a city in the Netherlands). We conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews among food outlet managers and applied multi-stage thematic analysis to the interview transcripts.ResultsMost managers underscored the urgency of shifting towards more plant-based diets, and perceived a growing demand for plant-based products. However, three barriers hindered most of them from taking decisive action: Managers’ perception of low consumer demand for plant-based food options; fear of consumer resistance when stimulating plant-based food options; and limited behavioral agency to offer attractive plant-based food options. The few managers who made changes, or intend to make changes, are individuals with high intrinsic motivation, knowledge and skills.ConclusionsThe present work suggests the key for change towards a food environment stimulating plant-based consumption lies in addressing three (perceived) barriers shared among diverse outlets. These are partly different from barriers for stimulating healthy consumption in general. Furthermore, current changes appear to be driven incidentally by individuals who are motivated and able to stimulate more plant-based purchases among a small targeted group of consumers.

Greenhouse gas emissions of environmentally sustainable diets: Insights from the Icelandic National Dietary Survey 2019–2021

BackgroundHealth authorities are increasingly integrating environmental sustainability considerations into food-based dietary guidelines. However, concerns persist about the accuracy of the data used to assess environmental impacts, as well as the extent to which these guidelines are followed in practice. AimTo compare dietary greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions estimates using different top-down and bottom-up life cycle assessment (LCA) databases; and to estimate GHG emissions of food consumption within the ranges set for meat and dairy in recently proposed environmentally sustainable diets. MethodsDietary GHG emissions were estimated for participants in the 2019–2021 Icelandic National Dietary Survey (n = 822) using three publicly available LCA databases from Denmark, the US, and France. GHG emissions among participants whose consumption was aligned with the EAT-Lancet diet, the 2021 Danish food-based dietary guidelines and the 2023 Nordic Nutrition Recommendations were also quantified. ResultsThe mean dietary GHG emissions among participants were 6.3, 6.1, and 6.1 kg CO2-eq/day based on the Danish (top-down), US (bottom-up), and French (bottom-up) databases, respectively. The relative ranking of foods was also consistent across all three databases. For example, the relative contribution of total CO2-eq (% range for the three databases) was highest for red meat (39–51%), followed by dairy (10–17%) and beverages (9–13%). The contribution from plant-based foods (6–10%), seafood (4–11%), and poultry/eggs (<5%) was modest. The dietary habits of most participants (86%) were outside the ranges for meat and dairy consumption as set by the three sustainable diets. However, participants reporting consumption within the ranges for meat and dairy had mean GHG emissions ranging between 4.2 and 4.7 kg CO2-eq/day, depending on the diet. In comparison, the mean for participants not adhering to the sustainable diets was 7.7 kg CO2-eq/day. These results are higher than those reported in other Nordic and European studies, likely due to high consumption of lamb, beef, and dairy, and low consumption of plant-based food. ConclusionAll three LCA databases provided similar estimates for total dietary GHG emissions and relative ranking of different food groups. Based on current dietary habits in Iceland, adherence to environmentally sustainable diets would lead to a substantial reduction in dietary GHG emissions.

Effect of cellulose-rich fibres on faba bean protein gels is determined by the gel microstructure

Increased consumption of plant-based foods and better utilisation of side-streams can reduce the environmental impact of food consumption. A promising crop for production of protein-rich plant-based foods is faba bean, which can serve as a local alternative to soy in cold-climate regions. This study investigated faba bean protein gelation at multiple pH values and the effect of adding a fibre-rich side-stream from protein extraction. Two different sources were used to extract the fibre (cotyledon and hull). The gels were characterised in terms of textural properties, microstructure and water mobility. Gels produced at pH 4 and 5 showed reduced fracture stress, fracture strain and water-holding capacity, but higher Young's modulus, than gels produced at pH 7. The effect of adding fibre (at fixed solids content) varied with pH. Differences observed were attributed to the gel microstructure, as light and scanning electron micrographs showed coarse, aggregated microstructure at pH 4 and 5 and a fine-stranded protein network at pH 7. Irrespective of fibre source (cotyledon/hull), addition of fibre had comparable effects on textural properties. Low-field NMR revealed differences in water mobility between gels at pH 4–5 versus pH 7, and between gels with/without added fibre, likely related to contrasting microstructures and the water-binding properties of the fibre fractions.

Diversity of plant-based food consumption: A systematic scoping review on measurement tools and associated health outcomes

Plant-based foods encompass all food products derived from plant sources, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, herbs and spices, and nuts and seeds, plant-based fats and oils (e.g. olive oil) and plant-based beverages (e.g. tea and coffee). Consumption of diverse plant-based foods is a dietary pattern that has gained significant attention amongst the public, due to its perceived benefits for maintenance of health(1). Plant-based foods provide a rich source of macronutrients, micronutrients and non-nutrient bio-actives that are often reported to improve health outcomes. Despite this, there are no standard definitions of plant-based diversity, or consensus on methods of measurement in nutrition research studies. The objective of the current research was to conduct a scoping review of the literature to identify studies investigating plant-based food diversity and it’s impact on human health outcomes, and to subsequently characterize a) definitions of plant-based diversity used, b) methods used to assess plant-based food intake, c) methods used to assess plant- based food diversity, and d) health outcomes assessed and key findings.Eligible studies were those investigating the relationship or impact of plant-based food diversity on any health related or lifestyle outcome, by any study design, in high income countries only. Studies were identified by systematic searches of two electronic databases and manual searches of reference lists. No restrictions were applied for language or year of publication. The review was performed in line with the guidelines for Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (2).Forty-four studies were eligible for inclusion in this review. The majority of studies were observational in design (39/44; 87%) and included fruits and vegetables only in their definitions of plant-based food diversity (32/44, 72%). Methods of measurement of both plant-based food intake and diversity varied greatly among studies, with only four studies (9%) utilizing a tool validated for assessment of plant-based food diversity in their population of interest. Health outcomes included dietary intake and behaviour, socioeconomic factors, cardiometabolic risk factors, and cancer risk,. No randomized controlled trials investigating the impact of plant food diversity on health outcomes were identified.There is a need for a consensus definition of “diverse plant-based foods” incorporating all relevant foods from plant sources (e.g. legumes, nuts, herbs). Robust measurement tools and reporting guidelines for the assessment of plant-based food diversity in nutrition research studies will help to standardize research in this area. Within countries, an assessment of standard levels of intake of plant-based foods would be beneficial, in identifying whether diverse plant-based eating may be a target for dietary improvement. Observational studies report associations between plant-based food diversity and health outcomes, that warrant investigation in future randomized controlled trials.