October 31, 2024

The benefits of yeast for vegetarian and vegan diets

In an increasingly conscious global scenario, the number of people choosing vegetarian and vegan diets is rapidly growing. This trend reflects a rising concern for health, animal welfare, and the environmental impacts of food production.

Although vegetarianism and veganism remain relatively uncommon among the general population—for example, in the United States, about 10% of households follow vegetarian diets, and only 5% adhere to veganism¹—there is a significant increase in interest in meat-free food options.

Even those who have not fully embraced these diets prefer to include vegetarian or vegan foods in their routine rather than replacing animal products entirely. Only 4% of consumers use plant-based proteins as a substitute for animal proteins, while 30% consume them occasionally, showing great potential for increased consumption frequency².

With this shift in consumer habits, the food industry is expected to offer more vegetarian and vegan options that meet taste, nutrition, and sustainability demands.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF VEGETARIANISM?

In general, vegetarians do not consume any type of meat, whether beef, poultry, or seafood. However, depending on their vegetarianism, they may include animal-based products such as eggs, dairy, and honey in their diet. Vegans, on the other hand, follow a more restrictive diet, avoiding any animal-derived products.

Within the vegetarian category, there are several variations, each with different dietary restrictions:

Ovo-lacto vegetarians: Include eggs and dairy in their diet but do not consume meat, poultry, fish, or seafood.

Lacto vegetarians: These people consume dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt but exclude meat, poultry, fish, seafood, and eggs from their diet.

Ovo vegetarians: Include eggs in their diet but do not consume meat, poultry, fish, seafood, or dairy products.

Raw Foodists (Raw Vegans): Follow a diet based on raw or minimally cooked plant-based foods, believing that cooking reduces the nutritional value of food.

Fruitarians: They focus their diet primarily on fruits, along with some seeds and nuts. They avoid other types of vegetables, grains, and animal-based products.

Vegans: Avoid consuming any animal products, including meat, dairy, and honey, and reject the use of items derived from animals, such as leather and wool. Veganism extends beyond food to ethical concerns, including cosmetics and clothing involving animal exploitation or animal-based ingredients.

THE MAIN REASONS TO ADOPT VEGETARIANISM

People adopt vegetarian or vegan diets for various reasons, but the primary motivations include:

Ethics

Adopting vegetarianism or veganism is, above all, an ethical choice. More people are becoming concerned about the environmental impact of livestock farming and global food waste. To produce just 1 kg of animal protein, between 2 to 10 kg of plant protein, such as soy, is required³. In a world where 1 billion people suffer from hunger, this misuse of resources is unacceptable.

Another relevant factor is animal welfare. In the United States, 16% of consumers who choose plant-based proteins do so out of concern for animal well-being⁴. Animals are sentient beings capable of experiencing pain, pleasure, and happiness. Choosing vegetarianism or veganism is a way to reject the exploitation, confinement, and slaughter of animals.

Health

Scientific studies have shown that meat consumption is directly associated with an increased risk of chronic and degenerative diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and some types of cancer. On the other hand, research highlights the health benefits of increasing plant-based food consumption and reducing animal products.

This awareness has led more people to <b>rethink their eating habits for a healthier life. In the United States, for example, around 35% of consumers of plant-based proteins do so to reduce saturated fat intake, while 32% are concerned about the long-term effects of meat consumption⁴. The country’s rising obesity rate has also prompted many to reconsider their food choices, with 26% opting for plant-based proteins as part of a weight-loss strategy⁴.

Environment

According to the United Nations, livestock farming is the leading cause of worldwide soil erosion and water contamination. Additionally, about 14.5% of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities come from this sector³.

Much of the deforestation in the Amazon, Brazil, is directly linked to producing meat, dairy, and eggs. Alarmingly, 97% of soybean meal and 60% of corn produced globally are not intended for human consumption but are used as feed in industrial farms, resulting in inefficient food production³.

Consumers are increasingly demanding transparency from brands about their environmental impact. In Brazil, 69% of adults, and in France, 66% expect companies to lead discussions and take effective action on ecological issues⁵. However, in countries like the U.S. and Mexico, 2 out of 5 adults do not trust companies to be honest about their environmental practices⁵.

Understanding the importance of actively promoting the well-being of people, animals, and the planet, Biorigin supports initiatives to reduce its environmental impact. This article explains the concept of a carbon-neutral cycle and highlights our sustainable practices.

If you are considering adopting a vegetarian diet, some movements can help and encourage you on your journey:

Meatless Monday: Mondays are known as the perfect day for new beginnings and transformations. Why not take this opportunity to adopt a habit that benefits everyone? The Meatless Monday Campaign, active in over 40 countries, encourages people to explore new flavors by replacing animal protein with plant-based alternatives at least once a week. Created in 2003 by Sid Lerner, founder of “The Monday Campaigns,” in partnership with the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future, Meatless Monday has grown into a global movement promoting reducing meat consumption and encouraging healthier choices for both people and the planet.

Veganuary: The Veganuary movement inspires people to adopt veganism in January and extend these habits throughout the year. Created in 2014, Veganuary aims to improve people’s diets and encourage reflection on their choices, promoting respect for animals and awareness of environmental impact. With participants from over 228 countries and territories, Veganuary has become the world’s most prominent advocate for veganism. According to Veganuary’s data, 85% of participants who were not previously vegan reduced their consumption of animal products after joining the movement. Of these, 23% became vegan, 43% cut their consumption in half, and 20% reduced it by at least a quarter.

HOW TO AVOID NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES IN VEGETARIAN DIETS

A well-balanced vegetarian or vegan diet can be highly nutritious. However, certain nutritional deficiencies are more common among vegetarians, mainly related to vitamin B12, calcium, iron, omega-3, vitamin D, and zinc.

To prevent nutritional deficiencies in vegetarian and vegan diets, it is essential to seek guidance from a nutrition professional for careful meal planning and, if needed, using supplements tailored to individual needs.

Regarding plant-based proteins, American consumers express specific concerns: 37% consider the protein source a decisive factor in their choice, while 35% evaluate the protein content as essential. Additionally, 31% say they would buy more plant-based proteins if they were healthier than meat or had superior nutritional value, as noted by 28%².
Concerns about adequate protein intake in plant-based diets are common but can be quickly addressed with proper meal planning. Many people believe that plant proteins are inferior to animal proteins. Still, many plant-based foods can provide all the essential amino acids the body needs as long as they are appropriately combined. This means that throughout the day, it is necessary to include a variety of plant-based protein sources to ensure a complete nutritional profile.

HOW YEAST ENHANCES THE QUALITY OF PLANT-BASED FOODS

Nutritional yeast is a food product widely appreciated by vegetarians and vegans for its unique flavor and high nutritional value. Composed of inactive Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells, this yeast offers a healthy and versatile way to enrich meals by adding nutrients and depth of flavor.

Nutritional yeast stands out in flakes or powder for its neutral taste, which can resemble cheese, nuts, or umami, complementing or masking more robust protein flavors. In addition to being an excellent source of proteins and B-complex vitamins, many versions are fortified with vitamin B12—essential for those on plant-based diets—and can be combined with other ingredients such as yeast extract, flavors, and minerals.

This ingredient can be used as a seasoning or complement in various dishes, such as soups, sauces, and salads, contributing to meals’ flavor and nutritional value. Additionally, nutritional yeast is an excellent option for those seeking to mask or soften the taste of meat in plant-based dishes.

After all, flavor is a crucial factor in accepting plant-based meats, cheeses, and beverages. For example, in Thailand, 51% of consumers state they would be more inclined to consume plant-based meat alternatives if the taste were similar to conventional meat⁶. Similarly, in Germany, 30% of meat substitute buyers consider meat-like qualities, such as flavor and texture, as essential factors in choosing plant-based products⁷. In Brazil, 37% of consumers say they would consume more plant-based cheese if it tasted similar to traditional cheese⁸.

Another essential aspect for consumers of plant-based foods and beverages is the reduction of additives such as sodium, sugar, fat, and colorings.

These insights reveal that replicating the taste of meat and dairy products is essential for many consumers to accept plant-based alternatives, highlighting the importance of flavor as a critical factor in adopting these options.

In this context, yeast stands out as a natural alternative, helping the food industry enhance the nutritional profile of products while ensuring delicious flavors and pleasant textures.

The main challenge for the plant-based food industry is to create products that effectively replicate animal-based ingredients, improving their nutritional profile, flavor, and texture while maintaining clear, easy-to-understand ingredient labels.

Biorigin’s natural-origin ingredients are ideal for vegetarian and vegan products. They help mask unwanted vegetal notes, enhance overall flavor, and add dairy-like notes and creaminess.

Regiane Ghirotti, Biorigin’s Food Product Manager, emphasizes the benefits of Biorigin’s solutions: “Regardless of consumer choices—whether for health or well-being—and in response to the growing demand from vegetarian and vegan consumers, Biorigin supports the food industry with innovative solutions using high-quality natural-origin ingredients. Our offerings include sodium, sugar, and fat reduction, flavor enhancement, masking undesirable notes, delivering specific flavor profiles sought after in plant-based products, and improving texture and juiciness. Discover how we can transform your products and meet market demands!”

Discover our ingredients:

Bioprotein: A yeast extract containing at least 75% high-quality protein. This versatile protein source is ideal for various applications, complementing recipes that use plant-based proteins with limited essential amino acid profiles, such as rice, oats, beans, and chickpeas. Bioprotein is crucial in achieving the perfect amino acid balance in your formulations. To learn more about our product, read the article.

Biotaste: A yeast-based line offering specific flavor notes to meet today’s culinary demands. It includes four flavor solutions: beef, chicken, pork, and roast. In addition to delivering unique flavors, Biotaste provides body, mouthfeel, and natural flavor enhancement. It is ideal for a wide range of applications, including soups, broths, sauces, snacks, spreads, meats, vegan products, and meat substitutes, helping create meat-like flavor notes in recipes.

Bionis: Produced from selected Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains, Bionis is the versatile Biorigin´s range of yeast extracts which complements and builds on formulations taste by providing body, mouthfeel while balancing and rounding off the taste of natural Umami of many food and beverage applications.

Goldcell: A versatile yeast line used across different food categories, contributing to flavor. Some Goldcell products can also serve as a source of nutrients and vitamins to stimulate fermentation processes, such as in winemaking.

Companies that meet the growing demand for plant-based products will be strategically positioned to lead and grow in this rapidly expanding market—and Biorigin is an essential partner in this journey.

BIORIGIN

For over 20 years, Biorigin has leveraged its knowledge and expertise in biotechnology to maximize the benefits of yeast fermentation. In collaboration with its partners, Biorigin develops the best solutions for flavorful, healthy, and convenient foods that are clean and sustainable.

All ingredients are naturally sourced, free of animal products, non-GMO Project Verified, and certified for sustainability by Bonsucro, Kosher, and Halal. They can be used in various foods and beverages, making them ideal for vegetarian and vegan initiatives. Our solutions improve the general taste and texture while supporting the reduction of fat, sugar, and sodium. To learn more and request samples of our products, visit our website.

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