How plant-based diets help reverse the nitrogen disruption

Human activities have increased the levels of reactive nitrogen (N) in our environment, with detrimental effects on biodiversity, climate, water quality, air pollution, … and human health. These nitrogen challenges are as important as the carbon crisis linked to climate change. Moreover, it embraces both climate change and biodiversity loss.

How can you help reversing the nitrogen disruption?

There are two ways each one of us can positively impact and reduce the nitrogen levels in our environment:

through our food choices, by choosing to eat more plant protein (as direct consumption of plant protein may abolish the 85% conversion losses from plant to animal protein) and;
through reducing food waste.

Did you know that one third of food produced is discarded in the household, rather than consumed?

Consequently, the land, water, energy and nitrogen used to produce this food is also wasted. Much less well-known is the fact that overconsumption (leading to obesity) generates even more food waste than the amount discarded in the household. Explore how Alpro fights against food waste.

Stephanie De Vriese, External Scientific Affairs Manager Alpro states : “The protein shift and food waste reduction across the food chain (farm to fork) is crucial, Such a transition would not only help reduce nitrogen levels, but would also benefit our health and reduce climate change and biodiversity loss. More concrete, it will reduce the use of valuable resources, such as freshwater and land use.”

Together with the change in diet and reduced food waste we also need improved sustainable food production through agricultural and technology changes within the limits of the environment. Let’s look at farming as part of the solution, rather than the problem.

Start cooking plant-based? Get inspired by our products and recipes.

More insights on how plant-based diets help resolve the nitrogen challenge? Watch this video and read the report.