A Comprehensive Review of the Benefits of and the Barriers to the Switch to a Plant-Based Diet

Abstract

In recent decades, the food industry has been faced with new challenges, and it has had to develop new types of diets and produce new types of foods that can slow down the spread of chronic diseases. The aim of our research was to identify the characteristics of plant-based nutrition, based on international and Hungarian literature. The comprehensive analysis was performed based on the theoretical model called Theory of Planned Behavior, in the course of which the perceived and objective benefits of and barriers to the conversion to a plant-based diet were examined. According to our results, the main benefits of plant-based nutrition are its many factors associated with a reduction in risk of developing numerous chronic diseases. This is followed by benefits of well-being and satisfaction, followed by ethical and environmental benefits. The most commonly reported inhibitory factor of a vegetarian diet is the enjoyment of eating meat and the difficulty in giving up meat consumption. This is followed by health considerations, e.g., lack of various ingredients in foods. Convenience and taste factors are also important disincentives, as well as the irrelevant nature of some plant-based nutrition information sources. Besides, social barriers, negative discrimination, and negative effect on mental health associated with them can also be a hindrance, as can financial barriers. The classification developed during our analysis can serve as a relevant guideline for decision-makers, and also as a basis for further primary qualitative and quantitative research.

The Role of Specific Components of a Plant-Based Diet in Management of Dyslipidemia and the Impact on Cardiovascular Risk

“…While plant-based, e.g., vegetarian, dietary patterns are generally perceived positively because of their benefits on health (CVD prevention) and the environment, there are also several barriers that hinder the switch to, and maintenance of a plant-based diet. Common barriers include health concerns that a plant-based diet may lack specific nutrients, reluctance to change dietary behavior, and enjoyment of eating meat and animal-based foods [99,100].…”

A review of research on plant‐based meat alternatives: Driving forces, history, manufacturing, and consumer attitudes

“…In a review, Fresán and Sabaté (2019) stated that not only environmental benefit but also human health benefit could be achieved by changing the current dietary patterns to plant-based diets. Numerous studies have indicated the health benefits associated with the replacement of animal sources of protein with plant-based proteins, including reduced risks of type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, and strokes (Fehér, Gazdecki, Véha, Szakály, & Szakály, 2020;Godfray et al, 2018). A model study even estimated a 6% to 10% reduction of global mortality rate, associated with the transition from heavy meat to plant-based diets (Springmann, Godfray, Rayner, & Scarborough, 2016).…”

Plant-Based Seafood Analogs

“…This leads to immense environmental pressure, diminishing biodiversity and rising environmental pollution, global warming and related adverse consequences [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Second, unhealthy lifestyle, which involves unbalanced nutrition and insufficient physical activity, has led to an increase in chronic diseases, metabolic syndrome, obesity and cancer [ 1 , 4 , 5 ]. In particular, high consumption of red meat has raised great concerns, due to its correlation with elevated morbidity and mortality rates [ 6 ].…”