Over the past several years there has been a rise in the popularity of plant-based diets and vegetarian eating regimes; however, scientists warn that the adoption of such a diet might increase the risk of brain malnourishment.
According to Dr. Emma Derbyshire, a contributor at Nutritional Insight, the main problem with plant-based diets is that they cannot adequately compensate for nutrients that are only found in animal products, mostly animal meat. Dr. Derbyshire accentuated the importance of choline, a nutrient that is especially important in the fetal stages of development.
Choline is a nutrient produced by our livers; however, we make an insufficient quantity. This is why, animal products, including meat, are essential for the human diet, in order to get the necessary choline intake.
A plant-based diet and the climate crisis
One of the main reasons for people to decide to switch to a plant-based diet is their effort to help save our environment and reverse the effects of the climate crisis. A recent example of a whole institution switching to a regiment focused less on meat is Goldsmiths, part of the University of London, which has banned all types of beef on its premises.
These efforts are truly commendable; however, people should also take note of the consequences of switching to a meatless diet. According to research going back to 1998, the US Institute of Medicine has issued a formal recommendation, stating that the human organism needs between four hundred and five hundred milligrams of choline daily.
Institutions and families must recognize the need for nutrients predominantly abundant in animal products. While choline can be found in broccoli and beans, it is much more abundant in meat, dairy and eggs.
