The idea that meat in our diet can be replaced by certain plant-based foods without compromising, or even improving, nutritional intake is spreading. However, this belief is incorrect and risks harming our well-being, as well as causing unexpected negative consequences on the economic and social fabric.

The debate on replacing animal proteins with plant-based ones is increasingly intense, often driven by ideological positions backed by powerful economic interests (lobbies) and, surprisingly, even supported by European institutions. This phenomenon encourages imitation, leading many people to abandon meat consumption without carefully considering the consequences, both for individual health and for the economic and social fabric. While plant-based proteins have a complementary role, they alone cannot provide a complete and balanced diet. Thanks to its unique composition, meat is indispensable for human health and vitality.

Meat proteins have an extraordinary amino acid profile. They are called “noble” because they provide all essential amino acids in the right proportions to support human metabolism. Elements like leucine, methionine, and isoleucine are crucial for protein synthesis, muscle growth, and cell repair. In contrast, plant-based proteins, while a valuable supplement, often lack essential amino acids, requiring complex dietary combinations to compensate for these deficiencies. As a result, a diet exclusively based on plant proteins can lead to significant nutritional deficiencies, with health consequences such as fatigue, muscle loss, weakened immune function, and impaired growth and cell repair. These effects are particularly critical for children, adolescents, pregnant women, and the elderly, who have specific and higher nutritional needs.

Beyond proteins, meat is a primary source of essential nutrients that are difficult to obtain elsewhere. Heme iron, for example, is absorbed directly by the intestine with an efficiency of 15-20%, far surpassing the non-heme iron found in plant-based foods, which is absorbed at a modest 5%. Vitamin B12, essential for neuronal function and red blood cell synthesis, is found exclusively in animal-based foods, as is vitamin D, which is crucial for bone metabolism and immune function but is scarce in vegetarian diets. Essential minerals such as zinc and selenium, vital for enzymatic and immune system functions, further enhance the irreplaceable nutritional value of meat. Iron, vitamin B12, and fatty acids like trans-vaccenic acid (TVA) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) support cognitive, immune, and metabolic functions.

Human beings have reached their current stage of development partly thanks to meat, which played a crucial role in our evolution. The regular introduction of meat into the diet significantly contributed to the process of encephalization—that is, the development of a larger brain and a more efficient metabolism—meeting the increasing energy demands of social and cognitive life. The high energy content and bioavailability of nutrients in meat allowed humans to reduce the time spent obtaining food, freeing up resources and time for social and technological progress. This evolutionary leap was further accelerated by the “discovery” of fire, which enabled the cooking of meat, improving its digestibility and increasing its nutritional value.

Human survival and evolution have been possible thanks to our extraordinary ability to adapt, maintaining a varied and balanced diet even in challenging conditions, such as resource scarcity or hostile environments. Meat consumption, like any other food, should be done in moderation and with attention to quality. Recent studies confirm that moderate meat consumption, within a balanced diet, is not significantly associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases, debunking many existing prejudices. It is recommended to consume 2-3 servings of meat per week (equivalent to 350-500 grams of cooked meat), prioritizing products from responsible and sustainable supply chains. This approach reduces environmental impact without compromising the nutritional benefits of a food that continues to play a central role in a complete and balanced diet.

Meat, therefore, represents an irreplaceable source of essential nutrients for the proper development and maintenance of the human body. A balanced diet that includes animal proteins in a conscious manner is not just a dietary choice but a cornerstone for living a long and healthy life. Giving up this food—often due to ideological beliefs or fleeting trends—means ignoring the crucial role its nutrients play and risking undesirable health consequences. While considering the importance of reducing environmental impact and supporting responsible production practices, indiscriminately replacing animal proteins with plant-based ones compromises diet quality and, consequently, public health. Food choices should be guided by scientific evidence and a rational understanding of their implications for well-being, rather than by emotional impulses or ideological simplifications.

This topic has also been covered in a recent article published on Lazio Politico. You can read the piece here >>>