Biological value of food
Vegetable or animal proteins? Our body cannot produce all proteins itself. We have to get the proteins we lack through food. The biological value of a food helps for orientation. Unfortunately, this is not on the food. It has to be calculated. The chicken egg serves as the basis. The chicken egg has a perfect biological value of 100. That is why the word protein is generally equated with the word protein. In everyday life, you can use the number of grams of protein in a food as a guide.
A person needs 0.8 grams of protein per kilo of their own body weight of protein. A person weighing 70 kilos needs 56 grams of protein per day. Legumes are considered to be the source of protein in a meat-free diet. If you combine several components in a meal, you can increase the biological value of a meal and achieve a balanced diet. Good news for all Swabians: Our favorite dish: lentils with egg spaetzle is a real protein bomb.
Is the seaweed pancake coming soon?
It was apparently still too early to establish insects as protein sources for us. Plant-based alternatives are much closer to us and also more environmentally friendly. This makes it easier for algae to establish itself as a new source of protein. Green algae have a biological value of 83. Consumer acceptance is still being researched, as is its extensive use in the food industry.
The majority of algae are not yet recognized as food and therefore cannot yet be used in the food industry, although they probably have good and important properties that support a healthy life. Approval by the food authorities proves to be complicated, lengthy and expensive. This has a deterrent effect on industry and manufacturers. Chlorella and spirulina are already widespread.
As the demand for algae increases, the number of algae farms is also growing in Europe. This enables greater control during cultivation and harvesting because in the past, algae from Asian waters often contained residues of metals and pesticides. The team around Prof. Dr. Bischoff at the University of Hohenheim is researching how to introduce algae into the daily diet. For example, a pancake made entirely from seaweed is planned.
Plant proteins are just as good as animal proteins
Proteins are essential for life. The predominant animal protein sources are no longer up to date with regard to climate protection and a growing global population. There are plant-based alternatives. Even though there is still a lot of research going on, in many parts of food production it is possible to replace animal protein sources with plant ones.
This is not only good for the environment and people, but also for your wallet. Plant-based protein sources are cheaper to produce and can be found on land and in water. Important: With a balanced and varied diet, the body can absorb as many important nutrients as possible.
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Related Links
- Eufic (2019): What are proteins and what functions do they fulfill in the body?
- Academy for Sport and Health (2022): Biological value of proteins and protein: with table
- University of Hohenheim (2022): Microalgae: Possible perspectives for agriculture
Source:
SWR Market Check / Eco Checker / Author: Melissa Bakowsky
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