Vegetarian meat alternatives are not a new concept. Veggie burgers, vegan deli meats, and chicken-free nuggets have been around for decades. While these products are aimed at meeting the needs of vegetarians and vegans, they do not necessarily match the taste and texture of meat. But today much of the R&D is concentrated on how to imitate the real meat in these plant-based meat alternatives.
According to various market insights consultants, plant-based alternatives to animal meat are made with ingredients and processing techniques that produce color, texture, and flavor similar to that of animal meat. Protein sources for these plant products range from soybeans and potatoes to peas, rice, and mung beans. The dietary fats used to make them include canola oil, cocoa butter, coconut oil, and sunflower oil, which are usually bound together by methylcellulose. These are then used in different types of foods as a thickener and emulsifiers. In addition to the ingredients needed to create color, texture, and flavor, they are usually fortified with many vitamins and minerals to make up for the nutritional differences with meat.
Market growth can be attributed to the growing trend of veganism, increasing consciousness about animal rights, and awareness about the health benefits of plant-based meat alternatives. It is estimated that more than 7.5 million human lives can be saved by the year 2050 if the world decided to go vegan. Moreover, we can also avoid climate change damages of more than 1.3 trillion dollars.
How COVID-19 Affected The Plant-Based Meat Market
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic lead to the closure of meat production plants because of which there was a shortage in the meat supply. This increased the price of meat products, making them unaffordable for many people. However, this opened up new opportunities for companies that specialize in plant-based meat. According to various market insights consultants, plant-based meat sales increased by 264% in the nine weeks leading up to May 2020. The pandemic created a situation where customers were forced to evaluate their choices.
Reasons Why Plant-Based Meat Alternatives Are The Food Of The Future
Investments - The most significant sign that plant-based meat alternatives are here to stay is how major meat processing companies are investing millions of dollars in plant-based alternative food start-ups. Multinational companies like Tyson, the second-largest processor of meat in the world have invested in plant-based meat production startups such as Memphis Meat and Beyond meat.
Healthier alternative - The meat industry is also associated with cancer, stroke, and higher mortality. Vegetable proteins, on the other hand, are less likely to cause harmful side effects. People who eat a lot of plant-based foods have lower blood pressure than those who eat meat. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies processed meats as carcinogenic and lean meat as a potential carcinogen. Compared to animal meat, plant-based meat is healthier in every possible way. It contains no cholesterol, saturated fats, hormones, or antibiotics. It is also high in fiber and antioxidants and rich in vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients.
The demand for traditional meat will not go away quickly. But the future of plant-based meat is bright-and it will continue to be part of a well-balanced plant-based diet for everyone. Hence, veganism is all set to grow in popularity as the world becomes more aware of the benefits of plant-based lifestyles.
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