Tso Rachel, Lim Amanda JiaYing, Forde Ciarán G
Foods. 2020 Dec 23;10(1):24. doi: 10.3390/foods10010024.
Alternative proteins are receiving increased global attention. This burgeoning interest in plants (especially plant-based meat alternatives), insects, algae, and cultured meat has been attributed to their reported health benefits, lower environmental impact and improved animal welfare compared to conventional animal-based meat. Food producers and the media are promoting acceptance of these products, claiming superior nutritional, environmental and ethical credentials and a desirable novel sensory experience. However, the evidence supporting these claims remains unclear. In this review, we summarise the main evidence underlying the nutritional, sensorial, economical, ethical, and environmental reasons reported for the rise in consumer demand for alternative proteins. We found many of these reasons to lack a strong evidence base. For instance, evidence is emerging for the nutritional benefits of plant-based meat alternatives, but present claims are largely based on established evidence for plant-based diets. Significant research gaps remain, especially longitudinal evidence on the sustained effects of replacing conventional animal-based proteins with alternative sources. For many alternative proteins, challenges exist in achieving desirable sensory properties akin to animal-based meat to promote their acceptance by consumers. Overall, fundamental shifts in the food system are required to create a culture in which healthful and sustainable food choices are the norm.
替代蛋白正受到全球越来越多的关注。人们对植物（尤其是植物基肉类替代品）、昆虫、藻类和养殖肉类的兴趣日益浓厚，这归因于与传统动物基肉类相比，它们据称具有健康益处、对环境影响较小且动物福利有所改善。食品生产商和媒体正在推动对这些产品的接受，声称它们具有卓越的营养、环境和道德资质以及令人向往的新颖感官体验。然而，支持这些说法的证据仍不明确。在本综述中，我们总结了消费者对替代蛋白需求上升所报告的营养、感官、经济、道德和环境原因背后的主要证据。我们发现其中许多原因缺乏有力的证据基础。例如，植物基肉类替代品的营养益处的证据正在出现，但目前的说法很大程度上基于植物性饮食的既定证据。仍然存在重大的研究空白，尤其是关于用替代来源取代传统动物基蛋白质的持续影响的纵向证据。对于许多替代蛋白来说，要实现类似于动物基肉类的理想感官特性以促进消费者接受，还存在挑战。总体而言，需要食品系统发生根本性转变，以营造一种健康和可持续的食物选择成为常态的文化。
