A new Dutch study suggests that switching to a plant-based diet without careful planning may reduce intake of important nutrients, especially in older adults and teenagers. Researchers found that replacing common animal-based foods with plant-based alternatives lowered protein, essential amino acids, vitamin B12, calcium, iodine, selenium, and zinc intake, even when healthier plant-based options were chosen. While folate, vitamin E, and non-heme iron increased, some nutrients still remained below recommended levels. The findings highlight that plant-based diets can offer major health and environmental benefits, but choosing fortified foods and well-balanced protein sources is essential to avoid nutritional deficiencies during the transition.
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