Anyone paying attention to the news will have noticed that the state of European agriculture and food security has recently entered a period of precarious and uncertain times. Farmers’ protests, new regulations and an increasingly unstable geopolitical landscape are piling onto the list of challenges the EU has to face. And although protein security is not at stake at this very moment, it could very well be, and Europe needs to act now to avoid future adversity.
Protein, nutrients and our health
Protein is absolutely essential to our health and well-being. As a major macronutrient, essential for repairing muscle, building hormones and enzymes, repairing and maintaining cells, protein plays a key role in the functioning of our body. Moreover, essential amino acids, cannot be produced by our organisms, with the only viable source being proteins in our nutrition. Protein is, therefore, not only critical for athletes, but for every single person. Other nutrients alongside protein that are important for our health are fibers, carbohydrates, healthy fats, as well as vitamins and minerals. When we consider what food to eat, we should bear in mind the concept of nutrient density, or how much nutrition you get per serving eaten. You could consume two foods with the same calorie count, but with very different nutrient compositions, with “empty” calories leading to nutritional deficiencies and, potentially, poor health outcomes. In essence, this concept helps us understand how healthy or useful a food can be, acting as a better indicator than a food’s calories, processing, or origin.
Animal or plant-based?
Generally, a lot of the protein we obtain comes from animal-based sources, from eggs for breakfast, to the beef burger you might eat for lunch. At the same time, the cost that the planet incurs producing meat proteins, has only become more evident. From significant water use to deforestation, not to mention ethical concerns about the welfare and treatment of animals that we consume, it shouldn’t be surprising that plant-based proteins are progressively coming to the fore.
When we consider what food to eat, we should bear in mind the concept of nutrient density, or how much nutrition you get per serving eaten. In essence, this concept helps us understand how healthy or useful a food can be, acting as a better indicator than a food’s calories, processing, or origin.
Protein innovation
One of the key differences between animal-based and plant-based proteins is their quality. While it’s easy for our organisms to process proteins coming from animals, the matter is more complicated with those coming from plants. The food matrix of plant proteins presents a physical barrier to digestive agents, reducing their bioavailability. Likewise, many plant proteins are not complete proteins, not containing all the essential amino acids. This is where food innovation comes in. Thanks to adequate processing, as well as research and development, it is possible to ensure complete and digestible plant proteins in a product. As an example, at Herbalife, through state-of-the-art treatment of plant products, we can ensure greater availability of higher-level proteins in the end raw material. This is how our Tri-Blend shake is produced (composed of quinoa, flax, rice and pea), which from a nutritional point of view, can be regarded as equal to that of milk.
Support of R&D
If Europe is to lead globally in nutritional and agricultural innovation, we need to ensure a competitive and favorable environment. More funding should be made available from Horizon Europe to alternative proteins; and EU initiatives such as the Pulses Increase Project, the Giant Leaps Project, or the Smart Protein Project need to be supported. Moreover, more assistance and incentives need to be provided to farmers to produce protein-rich plant crops. Indeed, the European Institutions have a large role to play, ensuring a smooth transition towards more environmentally sustainable and healthier food systems.