Here’s what’s been happening for the vegan and plant-based advocacies around the world in the 2nd week of October 2022. All features have been sourced from vegnews.com, plantbasednews.org, totallyveganbuzz.com, and vegansociety.com. Visit their sites for the full stories, and to be updated on more news that’ll help bring us to an even better world, and make us connected even more to our environment.
Eating too much hummus dangerous? Eat some, anyway
Photo credit: Anna Pyshniuk
On October 8, vegnews.com reported about Fox News correspondent Cortney Moore cautioning against consuming too much hummus, citing an “Eat This Not That” article.
Excerpts from the story:
“Moore claimed that overdoing it with this dip could lead to gastrointestinal issues, arguing that because hummus is made from chickpeas—a legume that takes a while to break down—eating hummus could cause gastrointestinal inflammation for some individuals. More commonly known as IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome, an inflamed gastrointestinal tract can manifest as severe bloating, gas, stomach pain, diarrhea, and/or constipation.
“While IBS is a serious issue that an estimated 10 to 15% of Americans suffer from, there is no concrete reason to avoid hummus at your next get-together or snack craving. Moore’s statement is the definition of a slippery slope logical fallacy. The same logic would dictate that chickpeas themselves are far more harmful than hummus, which is diluted with lemon juice, oil, and tahini. The answer is not to refrain from hummus completely—just don’t eat the whole tub in one sitting and consider the fiber content of the other foods you enjoy with hummus (celery and carrot sticks are high in fiber).
“Despite the Fox News warning, one serving of hummus is well within the fiber tolerance of even the most carnivorous Americans. A standard two-tablespoon serving only contains one to two grams of fiber. While it’s a decent amount to get you toward that daily fiber goal, it won’t wreck your digestive system. It’s all about moderation. Individual food sensitivities aside, chickpeas and hummus are perfectly safe to consume as long as they don’t make up your entire meal.
“Given the ever-growing popularity of hummus, it’s unlikely consumers will curtail their consumption. The 2020 global hummus market was valued at $812 million and is expected to reach $1.023 billion by the end of 2026, according to Market Watch.” (Tanya Flink, vegnews.com)
Read the full story here: https://vegnews.com/2022/10/eating-too-much-hummus
No need for supplements to get your choline fix
Photo credit: Valeria Boltneva
On October 10, totallyveganbuzz.com dispelled the myth that people following a plant-based diet should consider supplements to boost choline intake.
Excerpts from the story:
“The powerful essential nutrient choline, which is neither a vitamin nor a mineral, yet similar to the vitamin B complex, is necessary for healthy brain function. It is also vital for maintaining energy levels, providing nervous system support as well as liver function. This nutrient is also summoned for its help in cellular maintenance and producing a brain signaling chemical called acetylcholine, which occurs throughout the nervous system and has numerous functions in the body from the movements of the stomach and heart to the blink of an eye.
“Being an essential nutrient, the body is unable to produce choline in sufficient amounts on its own, and therefore relies on food to get its regular fix. According to the recommended daily requirements, women should consume about 425 mg of choline and men should aim for around 550 mg per day.
“Choline is generally associated with animal-based foods such as egg yolk, which is why some nutritionists suggest that people following a plant-based diet should consider supplements to boost choline intake. However, Bahee Van de Bor from the British Dietetic Association begs to differ. According to her: ‘You absolutely can meet the requirements with a vegan or plant-based diet. But you have to have a plan. Foods can be vegan but do not provide the necessary nutrients.’ Heather Russell, a registered dietician working for The Vegan Society added: ‘Choline is widely distributed in plant foods because it’s present in cell membranes. Soya products, quinoa, and broccoli are some of the best plant-based sources.’
“Here’s a handy list of the top five vegan choline foods that can help you check this nutrient off your list: Tofu, as well as soybeans (edamame) and soy milk; quinoa, (which also has) plenty of fiber, plus it’s gluten-free; mushrooms, with one serving (1/2 cup) of shiitake containing around 58 mg of the nutrient; cruciferous vegetables, like cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts; nut butter (peanut, almond, cashew, and walnuts), and; potatoes, wheat germ, beans, green peas, chickpeas, sunflower seeds, rice, cabbage and mandarin oranges.” (Mohsina Dodhiya, totallyveganbuzz.com)
Read the full story here: https://www.totallyveganbuzz.com/food/do-vegans-need-a-choline-supplement/
12-page report highlights all-time interest in vegan beauty
Photo credit: Cottonbro
On October 11, vegansociety.com announced that The Vegan Society’s “Unlock the Vegan Beauty Market, Leave the Animals Out of Cosmetics” report contains information about the global vegan movement and outlines what requirements are needed in order to ensure a product can be labeled and sold as “vegan”.
Excerpts from the story:
“The 12-page report, which is free to download, also looks into the reasons for the growing interest in vegan cosmetics and toiletries and what the market could look like in future.
“While a 2021 report by The Vegan Society found that 56% of shoppers want to see more vegan-verified products across all cosmetic and toiletry products, an earlier survey by the Fund for Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments (FRAME), found 84% of Brits would not buy a cosmetics product if they knew it, or one of its ingredients, had been tested on animals.
“At the same time, data from Google Trends shows that interest in vegan beauty and searches for vegan products had been growing steadily over the last 10 years, while MarketGlass predicts that the global vegan cosmetics industry will be worth a staggering $21.4 billion by 2027.
“Katie Grant, B2B Marketing Officer at The Vegan Society, said: ‘This new whitepaper proves that no industry is moving faster than vegan beauty. A combination of the rise in the number of vegans globally, conscious beauty trends and the public’s negative perception of animal testing mean that it’s an exciting time for both vegan shoppers and vegan beauty brands and businesses. We’re looking forward to what happens next in this space over the next year or two.’” (vegansociety.com)
Read the full story here: https://www.vegansociety.com/news/news/new-whitepaper-highlights-growing-interest-vegan-beauty
The many benefits of being in the outdoors
Photo credit: Cliford Mervil
On October 13, plantbasednews.org featured the physical and mental benefits of spending time outdoors.
Excerpts from the story:
“Those who eat a plant-based diet appreciate how natural foods keep us healthy and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. However, nature also nurtures us in non-material ways, and offers physical and mental benefits. The advantages of getting fresh air and spending time in the garden or countryside are often immediately apparent, but a growing area of research aims to quantify these intangible effects. Cultural ecosystem services (CESs) are the non-material ways that ecosystems benefit people and communities. Policymakers can use CES research to manage human–nature interactions and improve our quality of life.
“A team at the Graduate Program in Sustainability Science at the University of Tokyo recently conducted a systematic review of more than 300 papers to investigate the non-material effects of nature on our wellbeing. The review, published in Science Advances, identified 16 distinct mechanisms or ways that nature affects our wellbeing. Previous studies have identified some of these linkages, but the team identified 10 new mechanisms.
“Cognitive: Ecosystems provide opportunities for learning, knowledge, and scientific research; creative: Nature inspires people to paint, draw, take photos, discover, explore, and generally contemplate things; cohesive: The development of meaningful relationships between people via interaction with nature; intuitive: Many people experience something deeply spiritual when they interact with nature; regenerative: Interaction with nature can improve mental health and reduce stress and anxiety, improving sleep, fatigue, and physical health; retrospective: Natural landscapes have emotional and cognitive bonds, providing memories and becoming part of people’s life stories.
“Evidence suggests that being exposed to nature has a whole heap of benefits for our physical and mental health, including: Improved cardiovascular and respiratory function; sunlight and vitamin D exposure; faster healing after surgery; less anxiety and depression; improved mood; longer life expectancy. Further, when out in the fresh air, we inhale beneficial natural compounds that support our immune system. We also pick up friendly bacteria by touching the soil and natural elements.” (Louisa Richards, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/your-health/health-wellbeing/nature-benefits-nurtures-communities/
Lizzo says she’s vegan not to lose weight
Photo credit: Rodnae Productions
On October 13, totallyveganbuzz.com featured three-time Grammy winning superstar Lizzo, on why she went vegan in 2020.
Excerpts from the story:
“The vegan musical artist opened up about the subject and also called out body shaming critics who focus more on her weight rather than her music in her latest interview with Vanity Fair.
“Lizzo told the magazine that despite being vegan for nearly two years now, critics have still been skeptical of her food preferences simply because of her body shape. ‘I’m not a vegan to lose weight, I just feel better when I eat plants. I feel very lucky because I don’t feel that weight gain is bad anymore. Nor is weight loss—it’s neutral. And food is fun. I love eating, and I have a chef now, and I’m not thinking about it. I had a brownie last night.’
“During the interview, the singer and entrepreneur also revealed that she does prioritize her health and leads a ‘very healthy lifestyle’ both mentally and spiritually. ‘I try to keep everything I put in my body super clean.’
“Lizzo has become one of the most famous body positivity icons in recent years and this isn’t the first time the 34-year-old has referenced her vegan lifestyle during interviews. While flying the vegan flag, Lizzo also continues to challenge fat phobia, as she is often subjected to derogatory and abusive comments pertaining to her weight.” (Mohsina Dodhiya, totallyveganbuzz.com)
Read the full story here: https://www.totallyveganbuzz.com/celebrity/heres-why-lizzo-is-vegan/
Global protests aimed at stopping world’s 1st octopus farm
Photo credit: Ashley Christiano
On October 13, plantbasednews.org reported that animal rights activists around the world took part in coordinated protests outside Spanish Embassy buildings, aquariums, and restaurants selling octopus meat.
Excerpts from the story:
“On October 8 (World Octopus Day), protestors aimed to urge the Spanish government to put a stop to multinational seafood manufacturer Nueva Pescanova opening the world’s first octopus farm in Gran Canaria next year.
“Representatives from the Plant Based Treaty, In Defense of Animals, and Ocean Born Foundation were all in attendance. Scientists and celebrities, including vegan actor Paul Wesley, bolstered protest numbers both in person and virtually. Barcelona, Mumbai, Tel Aviv, and Gran Canaria were among more than 20 locations to feature demonstrations.
‘“Octopuses are one of the most fascinatingly beautiful creatures on Earth. They are wildly intelligent, sentient beings capable of high-level cognitive behaviors,’ Wesley said in a statement. ‘The idea of creating an ‘octopus farm’ where they will be tortured their entire lives and killed for the sake of mass profit is beyond devastating and mind-boggling. We must stop the company Nueva Pescanova from committing this horrific moral atrocity.’
“It is anticipated that Nueva Pescanova will create an aquaculture facility akin to livestock and poultry factory farming conditions. The company has invested a reported $63 million into the project already but has been cautious about its promotion. As such, it has not responded to requests for clarity surrounding the operation. Animal rights groups remain in the dark and are very concerned about proposed tank sizes, killing methodologies, and feeding requirements.” (Amy Buxton, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/culture/ethics/protestors-unite-stop-worlds-first-octopus-farm/
New research says shifting from meat to algae could feed 10 billion people by 2050
Photo credit: Alfo Medeiros
On October 14, vegnews.com reported that new research shows that growing nutritious, protein-dense microalgae in onshore, seawater-fed aquaculture systems could help increase food production by more than 50% and feed a projected 10 billion people by 2050.
Excerpts from the story:
“Authored by researchers from Cornell, Stanford, and Duke universities, the report, published in peer-reviewed ocean science journal Oceanography, describes how growing algae could be an environmentally sustainable solution to carbon emissions-intensive animal agriculture. Onshore algae farms could also close a projected gap in society’s future nutritional demands while simultaneously reducing the current food system’s detrimental impacts on climate, land use, freshwater resources, and biodiversity.
‘“We have an opportunity to grow food that is highly nutritious, fast-growing, and we can do it in environments where we’re not competing for other uses,’ Charles Greene, Cornell University professor emeritus of earth and atmospheric sciences and the paper’s senior author, said in a statement. ‘And because we’re growing it in relatively enclosed and controlled facilities, we don’t have the same kind of environmental impacts.’
“Greene and colleagues argue for growing algae in onshore aquaculture facilities. GIS-based models predict yields based on annual sunlight, topography, and other environmental and logistical factors. The model results reveal that the best locations for onshore algae farming facilities lie along the coasts of the Global South, including desert environments.
“Microalgae, which grows 10 times faster than traditional crops, could provide high amounts of nutritional protein, essential amino acids, as well as other micronutrients, such as vitamins, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids. Additionally, unlike animal agriculture, a marine microalgae-based aquaculture industry would not require arable land and freshwater, or pollute freshwater and marine ecosystems through fertilizer runoff.” (Nicole Axworthy, vegnews.com)
Read the full story here: https://vegnews.com/2022/10/algae-feed-10-billion-people-2050-research