Recognizing the importance of protein quality in an era of food systems transformation

Abstract

A transformation of current food systems is needed to nourish the growing global population in more sustainable ways. To support this, some are advocating for a shift to plant-based or -exclusive diets. These recommendations – typically borne out of concerns for the environment – often fail to account for unintended nutritional consequences, which could be particularly pronounced for protein intake. While there is enough protein to meet current global needs, the issue of protein quality is often overlooked and oversimplified. High-quality protein, including from animal source foods (ASF), is needed to meet nutritional demands in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), particularly among vulnerable population groups. In high-income countries (HIC), protein quality is important for at-risk populations who have higher protein requirements and lower energy and/or protein intakes. Further, as the global population increases, driven primarily by population growth in LMIC, it is possible that protein production will need to increase in HIC to support exports to help feed the global population. The global dialogue and resulting dietary recommendations must therefore become more nuanced to consider the interaction between nutritional value and environmental impact to help better reflect trade-offs across multiple domains of sustainability. Nutritional life cycle assessments are one way to help accomplish this nuance and evaluate how all types of food production systems should be refocused to improve their environmental efficiency and nutritional impact.

Amino Acid Changes during Maturation in Solanum Fruit

“…Proteins are chains of amino acids that are involved in almost every process in the body. The main role of proteins is to provide the body with the amino acids needed to synthesize new proteins [38]. According to the European Union Protein Strategy [39], meat and other animal products are the main source of protein for the majority of adults in the European Union, but plant-based protein sources are also gaining popularity.…”

“…Protein is the dominant nutrient in human nutrition that is caused by the need to ensure the optimal level of essential amino acids directly affecting vital functions; since the body cannot store protein, it is supplied to the body exclusively through nutrition [38].…”

Pulsed Electric Field Technology for Recovery of Proteins from Waste Plant Resources and Deformed Mushrooms: A Review

“…Several research studies have observed the significance of the protein requirement to the body [5,6]. This requirement is increasing globally due to the high population growth and the awareness of protein's positive impact on the body.…”

Influence of High-Intensity Ultrasound on Characteristics and Bioaccessibility of Pea Protein in Fiber-Enriched Suspensions

“…Population growth, rising life expectancy, and age-related diseases are future challenges that science must face. Not only because of a human population whose size is predicted to expand to nearly 10 billion people by 2050 [1,2] but also owing to the increasing number of diseases, such as cancer, obesity, and diabetes, it is time to devise ways of eating a healthy and sustainable diet [3,4]. Considering ethical, health, and environmental impacts of conventional meat and animal-product consumption, plant-based nutrition could be a promising alternative.…”