Dr. Berg’s Healthy Keto and Intermittent Fasting Podcast

You'll Never Guess What's Really in Plant-Based Meat

Apr 11, 2024

Dr. Berg, a nutrition expert, exposes the plant-based meat scam by discussing the misleading health and environmental claims. Plant-based meats lack essential nutrients found in real meat and may contain risky additives. Real meat production actually makes use of resources that would otherwise be wasted, while plant-based meats require significant resources like water and land. The podcast challenges misconceptions and highlights the importance of livestock in maintaining land health.

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Introduction

00:00 • 2min

Examining the Safety and Environmental Impact of Plant-Based Meat vs. Traditional Meat Sources

02:14 • 2min

Implications of Replacing Cows with Plants and the Carbon Cycle

04:43 • 2min

It's no secret that plant-based meats have been marketed as healthier and more environmentally friendly alternatives to real meat. However, these claims are not entirely accurate.

While plant-based meats contain some nutrients, they simply can’t compare to those found in real meat, such as protein, B vitamins, iron, selenium, and zinc. Plant-based meats may try to replicate these nutrients through added chemicals and synthetic ingredients, but they can never match the natural composition of real meat.

The production process of plant-based meats involves using chemicals and additives that may pose health risks. For example, the Impossible Burger contains yeast that creates a synthetic version of the blood protein heme from soy. This ingredient is classified as a color additive and hasn't been thoroughly tested for safety.

Regarding environmental impact, plant-based meats are often touted as a more sustainable option than real meat. However, they require a lot of resources to produce, including water and land. If we look at California almonds, they use ten times more fresh water than cattle.

On the other hand, real meat production uses resources that would otherwise be wasted. For instance, 85 percent of livestock feed comes from non-human edible materials, including corn stalks, beet pulp, and soybean plants.

Cows play a crucial role in maintaining the health of our land. They can graze on terrain unsuitable for growing crops, and their manure is a natural fertilizer for plants. Removing cows from the equation would negatively impact our food production system. One of the main arguments against real meat is the methane emissions from livestock. When looking at the big picture, these emissions are roughly 2.7 percent, which isn’t significant enough to make a real difference.

These emissions are also part of a natural cycle. Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in the soil, which is then consumed by livestock and released as methane. This methane eventually breaks down to become carbon dioxide again, completing the cycle.