These vegan health articles are presented to assist you in taking a pro-active part in your own health.
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Educated consumers have the potential to drive demand, not simply for more plant-based products but for truly healthy, sustainable whole foods that can nourish the growing world population well into the future.
Changing tastes, a growing world population, and concerns over the impact of
the current food system are driving new innovations in food production. The goal
isn’t just to feed a lot of people, but to feed them well with fewer resources
and less waste. From agriculture to protein, future food trends are making
sweeping changes across all industries.
Food Tech
Technology is becoming increasingly more integral to food production,
particularly for companies developing new plant-based products. Research and
development can be a long, slow process, and in the face of the current rapid
shifts in consumer preference and demand, companies that take too long to adapt
risk being left behind while competitors take the lead.
Data is the missing link for brands looking to capitalize on the plant-based
revolution. New platforms are making it possible to identify previously unknown
plant compounds and utilize them to create proteins, as well as improve both the
texture and flavor of plant-based foods. Other tech advances, such as robotics
and 3D printing, are changing the way food is produced and prepared for
consumers.
Agritech
Farming is having its own technological revolution as the future of food trends
in robotics and hydroponics make it possible to grow food in new ways. Indoor
farming, including vertical farming, is bringing viable agriculture into areas
where it would otherwise be difficult or impossible to produce foods like leafy
greens and tomatoes locally.
With the help of technology, these farms are able to produce larger yields than
traditional farms using a fraction of the land, water, and energy. Food can grow
all year long in almost any location: arid climates, inner cities, and even
inside grocery stores and restaurants. As a result, more people are able to
access healthy, fresh food grown near the point of sale.
Traditional farmers are also getting a helping hand from tech. Farm robots that
can monitor plant health, detect pests, remove weeds, and provide targeted
irrigation reduce some of the labor-intensive work and improve overall yields.
Alternative Proteins
In response to growing demand for plant-based alternatives to animal products,
companies are developing new protein ingredients from novel sources like:
Proteins derived from these alternatives — as well as more traditional sources
like soybeans, peas, and chickpeas — are making their way into animal-free meat,
dairy, and egg products around the world.
Interest in fermentation and cultured proteins is also growing, although there’s
a considerable amount of debate over whether cultured products have the same
negative health effects as conventional animal foods.
Sustainability
Sustainability was already a hot topic, but it’s continued to heat up since the
COVID-19 pandemic revealed significant problems with the current food system.
More people are becoming aware of the need for a food system that relies less on
consolidated, large-scale farming and makes use of spaces and methods that
aren’t currently being harnessed for food production.
With rising concerns over carbon footprints and a growing interest in local
food, key players in the sustainability movement are focusing on:
Whole Food, Plant-Based Diets in Future Food Trends
Although a lot of positive changes are taking place in the food system, health
and nutrition remain major hurdles. Alternative protein producers focus largely
on meeting consumers’ taste preferences first and leaving the health aspect for
later, after a significant amount of market share has been established. But
because these products are made from plant ingredients, even fast food
restaurants can incorporate them into meals and boast “plant-based” options.
Where does that leave whole food, plant-based (WFPB) diets in the future of food
discussion? Several trends are beginning to improve equality of access to whole
plant foods in underserved areas and reduce reliance on chemical-heavy farming
practices. Providing more people with affordable, fresh, nutritious food in
their communities has the potential to create true farm-to-table experiences in
places where it was never possible before.
However, for WFPB eating to really take hold as the future of food progresses,
companies and communities will need to work together to educate people about how
food choices impact health. Educated consumers have the potential to drive
demand, not simply for more plant-based products but for truly healthy,
sustainable whole foods that can nourish the growing world population well into
the future.
References
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We began this archive as a means of assisting our visitors in answering many of their health and diet questions, and in encouraging them to take a pro-active part in their own health. We believe the articles and information contained herein are true, but are not presenting them as advice. We, personally, have found that a whole food vegan diet has helped our own health, and simply wish to share with others the things we have found. Each of us must make our own decisions, for it's our own body. If you have a health problem, see your own physician.