Typical diets
A global shift toward plant-based diets has several positive impacts. It can lower the stress on the food system and boost public health. However, many factors can impede the adoption of such a diet. One such barrier is cost. To tackle this problem, a study was conducted that compared the cost of four alternative diets to four typical diets.
Nutritional value
The nutritional value of food is an important measure of its quality. It measures the well-balanced ratio of essential nutrients, such as fat, carbohydrates, proteins, and vitamins. This value is compared against the nutrient requirements of the consumer.
Culture
Food plays a significant role in shaping culture. It can convey a sense of identity and self-expression. It can even be a way of providing hospitality when a group of people gets together to eat. In order to better understand food, it is important to study its cultural significance.
Preservatives
Preservatives are chemicals used to extend the life of food. Many of these chemicals are phenols, such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). These chemicals are used to stop foods from going bad and prevent them from spoiling. However, some of these chemicals are harmful to our health. For example, butylated hydroxyanisole has been linked to cancer in laboratory animals. Because of this, it has been classified as a human carcinogen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is also found in animal feed.
Environmental impact
One recent study looked at the environmental impact of food products. Researchers calculated the impact of over 57,000 products and measured their greenhouse gas emissions, land use, water stress, and eutrophication potential. Eutrophication occurs when bodies of water become overly rich in nutrients, leading to harmful algal blooms and the death of other life.