Research Derives Meat Consumption And Its Consequences
Worldwide, it is possible to observe an increase in the number of people who avoid eating meat or adhere to vegan or vegetarian dietary patterns. The discussion about whether eating meat can really be harmful is very present in the lifestyle with less environmental and economic impact.
Eating meat alone is not harmful, as meat is a nutritionally rich food and has many important nutrients for our health. The problem is excessive consumption of meat, especially red and processed meat. The high intake of these foods can increase the risk of some heart diseases, cancers, diabetes, obesity, which are also the diseases that kill the most in Brazil and in the world.
There is a cultural factor in high meat consumption, which is related to purchasing power. Meat is a cultural food, also related to high socioeconomic status. The consumption of red meat is also associated with a greater impact on the environment. For the production of beef, large amounts of natural resources are used, such as soil and water, in addition to the emission of greenhouse gases related to climate change in the world.
In Brazil
Around here, red meat is one of the most consumed foods, followed by chicken, fish and pork, whose production has increased in recent years. Because meat occupies this large space on the Brazilian plate, and because it is a food consumed in large quantities, other foods are no longer part of the meal. What is observed is the decline in the consumption of vegetables, greens and whole grains, characterizing the Brazilian diet as unbalanced.
Food and Sustainability Bulletin
Partnership: Josué de Castro Chair of Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems, Rádio USP and Jornal da USP
Production: Professor Ricardo Abramovay, Estela Sanseverino and Nadine Marques
Co-production: Cinderela Caldeira, Tulio Shiraishi and Julia Estanislau
Editing: Rádio USP
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