Holt on: The Plant Protein Revolution

Changing from animal to more plant protein inclusion in the human diet makes ecological and health sense. The Western diet has been criticized constantly concerning its over inclusion of calories, saturated fat, trans-fats, cholesterol, simple carbohydrates and animal protein. Scientists continue to enumerate the benefits of plant-based protein diets for the population at large, but only a limited number of people hear and act on this simple message. This circumstance creates a monumental task in any attempts to change the eating habits of a nation. While it is often difficult to pin-point the influence of certain or individual dietary constituents on health, it appears clear that strong carnivorous tendencies tend to breed ill health. The over inclusion of meat protein in the human diet presents excessive intake of saturated fat and cholesterol and it contributes to excess morbidity and mortality from cancer, diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. While this book highlights the negative effects of excessive animal protein on health, it presents foundations to support the conclusion that a change towards plant protein intake will confer health benefits on the U.S. nation or much of Western society.