A wide coalition of scientists – based on more accurate data – renewed its previous assertion that meat should not be the basis of the diet, after his opinion angered this – the late first decade of this century – sector officials.
About a hundred experts in nutrition, the environment and public health, in a wide -ranging study, published on Friday in the “Lancet” magazine that there is an interconnectedness between the consumption of red meat and the high risk of death in countries where this consumption has been a decades ago.
The study – which these scientists conducted is not limited to meat – is not limited to a large extent, as it aims to provide instructions that enable the entire world population to follow a healthy diet without harming the environment.
This comprehensive program has previously issued a report in 2019. The public and the media focused mainly on a diet proposed by experts, and it was described as “global healthy”.
The program was devoted to red meat a much less than what is prevalent, as it recommended that its daily consumption be limited to 14 grams, that is, half of the global average, and a much lower consumption in rich countries. The experts called for a replacement of meat by switching towards whole grains, nuts and oil seeds.
Although the authors of the study showed that these numbers are only a general framework, they have sparked very different reactions between the general public and economic circles.
Several bodies concerned with agricultural food industries criticized these recommendations, considering that they are not serious, dangerous, or not suitable for local eating habits.
However, the scientific community generally welcomed these recommendations at the health level, although some criticized not taking into account some data, such as social differences in obtaining food.
A report issued in 2023, other researchers and published by the “Lancet Global Health” magazine, concluded that “opinions were more positive than they were negative” and formed a response to some of the authorities concerned with the sector, which described the results of the committee as marginal or controversial.
The NGOs in September published a report in which it accused a number of actors in the agricultural food industries of organizing a campaign to mislead online against the results of the committee.
Vegetable sources
The scientists reiterated what they previously emphasized that the best healthy diet “is mainly based on plant sources, with a moderate percentage of animal foods, and the lowest possible amount of added sugar, saturated fat and salt.”
And they saw in the update that the average consumption of red meat should be limited to 15 grams per day. As for vegetables, they should be consumed at a rate of 200 grams, fruits 300 grams, and whole grains is 210 grams. Dairy products should be 250 grams, fish or seafood 30 grams, as well as white meat like poultry.
All of these numbers are very close to the previous numbers, especially if the broader domains have taken into account. For example, for for example, the researchers saw that optimal consumption ranges from complete refrain from eating them to 500 grams per day.
It is not surprising that the recommendations have not changed, “we have not seen any change between 2019 and today in the relationship we know between the consumption of some foods and health.”
The jealousy is that the authors of the study acknowledged that their recommendations, even if they were beneficial to health in the long run, may cause a shortage of vitamins in the short term in some, especially if they adhere to the minimum proposed ranges.