Vegetarian News and Research

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Does concern about climate change influence meat choices? New U.S. survey suggests it does

A nationally representative U.S. survey found that about 12% of adults self-report not eating red meat, with higher prevalence among women, older adults, college-educated individuals, and certain minority groups. Reporting climate change and environmental issues as a top national concern was independently associated with a greater likelihood of reporting no red meat consumption.

9 Feb 2026

Algae may help meet future protein demand without straining the planet

This narrative review evaluates clinical evidence on algae and algal proteins as sustainable, nutrient-dense food sources with high protein quality and bioactive compounds. Findings suggest potential benefits for muscle protein synthesis, cardiometabolic markers, immune modulation, and antioxidant status, while emphasizing heterogeneity, short-term data, and the need for longer clinical trials.

20 Jan 2026

Gut microbiota analysis offers insights into how ultra processed foods affect health

To gain more knowledge about how ultra-processed food affects us, we need new research methods, claim researchers. Now they are looking to better understand our intestinal flora.

16 Jan 2026

Vegetarian women show subtle changes in cellular health markers

Slovak university women on vegetarian diets exhibit small bioelectrical impedance variations, suggesting potential insights into body composition and health.

13 Jan 2026

Heavy menstrual bleeding linked to iron deficiency in teenage girls

More than half of teenage girls experienced heavy bleeding and 40 per cent had an iron deficiency. The research, led from Lund University in Sweden, also shows that young teenage girls who experience heavy menstrual bleeding – and are therefore at greater risk of iron deficiency – can be identified using a simple questionnaire.

17 Dec 2025

Plant-based omega-3s work better than expected in a year-long diet study

A year-long, diet-controlled intervention shows that flaxseed oil–derived alpha-linolenic acid significantly increases erythrocyte EPA, DPA, and DHA across omnivorous, vegetarian, and vegan diets. The magnitude of improvement is driven mainly by baseline omega-3 status, while absolute EPA and DHA levels in vegans remain lower than in omnivores.

17 Dec 2025

Plant-based diets support healthy growth when properly planned for children

Vegetarian and vegan diets can support healthy growth when carefully planned with appropriate supplementation, finds a major new meta-analysis – the most comprehensive study to-date of plant-based diets in children.

12 Dec 2025

Understanding tea's health benefits and risks

The review confirms that tea, particularly green tea, plays a crucial role in preventing cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), obesity, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

1 Dec 2025

Study reveals metabolic benefits of reducing ultra-processed foods in older adults

A controlled feeding study out of South Dakota State University shows that older adults who ate fewer ultra-processed foods naturally consumed fewer calories, lost weight and abdominal fat, and showed improvements in insulin, nutrient-sensing hormones, and inflammation.

24 Nov 2025

Which plant-based diet is healthiest and most sustainable

Vegan and vegetarian diets deliver nutrient adequacy on par with Mediterranean diets, while lowering carbon footprints and promoting environmental health.

13 Nov 2025

Diets that harm the planet also raise the risk of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes

Diets that place greater pressure on the environment, high in meat and low in plant foods, were linked to higher risks of cancer, coronary heart disease, and type 2 diabetes in over 34,000 French adults. Sustainable, plant-rich diets were associated with better health and lower environmental impact.

29 Oct 2025

Plant-based diets could curb climate change and infectious diseases, experts say

A new review in Open Forum Infectious Diseases links animal agriculture to climate change, antimicrobial resistance, and infectious disease spread. The authors urge healthcare providers to promote plant-based diets as a practical step to protect planetary and public health.

28 Oct 2025

Food tax shift could have both environmental and human health benefits

More expensive steak, cheaper tomatoes, but the same total cost for the average basket of groceries at the supermarket.

24 Oct 2025

Low-calorie diets linked to higher psoriatic arthritis risk, genetic study suggests

This Mendelian randomization study found that low-calorie diets may slightly increase the risk of psoriatic arthritis, while vegetarian and gluten-free diets showed no causal links to psoriasis, acne, or atopic dermatitis. The findings challenge assumptions about universally beneficial dietary patterns and highlight the need for cautious interpretation of dietary interventions in inflammatory skin disease.

19 Oct 2025

Why your diet may be exporting extinction abroad without you knowing

This global analysis shows that the biodiversity impact of producing 1 kg of food can vary by up to 1,000-fold, with ruminant meat and tropical luxury crops carrying the highest extinction risks. Using the LIFE metric, researchers reveal how national diets and food imports contribute to hidden biodiversity losses, highlighting dietary shifts as a powerful conservation tool.

12 Oct 2025

Home blood tests could spot early heart risks in young adults

Self-administered dried blood spot kits show potential for cardiometabolic screening in young adults, but success relied heavily on clear guidance and researcher support. High rates of at-risk biomarkers highlight an urgent need for early prevention in this population.

12 Oct 2025

Healthy eating may come at the expense of exploited workers

Many Americans choose food based on cost and nutrition, but personal values, such as animal welfare and environmental concerns, also shape what ends up on our plates.

9 Oct 2025

Researchers quantify forced labor risk in five dietary patterns

Many Americans choose food based on cost and nutrition, but personal values, such as animal welfare and environmental concerns, also shape what ends up on our plates.

9 Oct 2025

Simple hospital menu changes could deliver major health and climate benefits

Research indicates that optimizing hospital menus can lower carbon emissions and saturated fat consumption, promoting healthier dining options for patients.

22 Sep 2025

Genetic study shows dual GIPR/GLP1R action curbs binge alcohol use

Researchers used drug-target Mendelian randomization to test whether genetically proxied activation of GLP1R and GIPR influences alcohol-related behaviors. They found that GIPR, especially when combined with GLP1R, was linked to lower binge and heavy drinking, healthier food preferences, improved liver markers, and reduced coronary artery disease risk.

15 Sep 2025