Seeking Alternative Protein Health Research Status Update

By clifford.banes @ 2024-11-25T07:55 (+7)

I believe animal welfare should be a top cause area and I see alternative proteins as a key way to address it. However, in conversations with colleagues, friends, and family (including EAs), a common concern I hear is skepticism about the health impacts of these products.

I’m wondering if there’s a place where evidence on the health impacts of various alternative proteins is synthesized and clearly explained (e.g., did the data come from RCTs or observational data?; what gaps exist?). If not, I would love to be linked to studies that address this concern. 

A lot of existing media (example) explains that meat substitutes are NOT “health foods,” but what’s often missing is clarity on whether they’re at least nutritionally equivalent to meat or if they pose unique health concerns that meat doesn’t. 

This matters because, for high-income consumers (who often have a high willingness to pay), uncertainty around health impacts can be a significant barrier to adoption. 

I'm curious about content/research covering multiple alternative protein categories: 

• Meat Alternatives: Impossible Foods, Beyond Meat, and similar plant-based "meats."
• Egg and Dairy Alternatives: JUST Egg, plant-based milks (e.g., oat, almond, soy).
• Traditional Plant Proteins: Tofu, tempeh, seitan, etc.
• Meal Replacements: Products like Soylent, Huel, and similar nutritionally complete options.

Maybe examples like this already exist, and I’ve missed them. If so, please point me in the right direction! If not, I think developing and sharing this information would be useful.

Photo from Thrillist.