Beans and Peas Found to Outperform Processed Meat and Dairy Alternatives

Oxford study reveals unprocessed legumes are healthier, cheaper, and more eco-friendly than popular plant-based substitutes.

A comprehensive study by Oxford University compared 24 meat and dairy alternatives on health, environmental, and cost metrics.
Unprocessed legumes like beans, peas, and soybeans ranked highest across all categories, offering significant health benefits and reduced environmental impact.
Processed substitutes such as veggie burgers, plant milks, and lab-grown meat were less sustainable but still outperformed animal-based products.
Replacing all meat and dairy with alternatives in high-income countries could cut early deaths by up to 6% and reduce environmental impacts by over 50%.
Lab-grown meat was deemed the least favorable option due to high emissions, costs, and health concerns at current production levels.