Free Republic

A bellwether in the vegan food industry is getting a raw deal on Wall Street. Beyond Meat — once worth $7.8billion — is now almost worthless after an attempt to tackle its debt got the thumbs down from investors. The near collapse of Beyond isn't just a blow for the company itself — it's a clear symptom of the wider vegan food industry. As the poster child for plant-based meat, analysts say its struggles underline the sector's core problems: limited consumer demand, high prices, and products that often fail to deliver on taste or convenience. Beyond's stock plunged 50 percent...

The type of protein you eat after intense physical training can significantly impact recovery, according to new research. The study examined how different protein sources in military-style meals ready-to-eat (MREs) affected recovery in members of Texas A&M's Corps of Cadets after completing the Army Combat Fitness Test. Creatine—a compound stored in muscle and essential for cellular energy production and recovery—is most abundant in animal-based proteins like meat and fish. While the recommended daily intake ranges from 2 to 4 grams, depending on muscle mass and activity level, most individuals fall short, especially those following vegetarian or vegan diets. Researchers tracked...

@amuse @amuse UK: Islamic migrants are eating Britain’s swans which are halal according to Sharia law.

Surprising Study Shows Plant Protein Didn’t Extend Life — But Meat Might In A Nutshell * A study of nearly 16,000 U.S. adults found no link between animal protein intake and higher death risk from cancer, heart disease, or any cause. * Animal protein showed a modest protective effect against cancer deaths, with each gram linked to a 5% lower risk. * Plant protein showed no survival benefit in this dataset, despite previous studies suggesting advantages. * Results challenge a 2014 study that had claimed high animal protein dramatically increased cancer mortality. ============================================================================== HAMILTON, Ontario — Animal protein isn’t linked...

Two cultivated meat companies have filed a lawsuit against officials in Texas over the law that bans the sales of lab-grown meat in the state for two years. California-based companies UPSIDE Foods, which makes cultivated chicken, and Wildtype, which makes cultivated salmon are suing Attorney General Ken Paxton, Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas Health and Human Services, and Travis County, accusing them of government overreach. “This law has nothing to do with protecting public health and safety and everything to do with protecting conventional agriculture from innovative out-of-state competition,” said Paul Sherman, a senior attorney at the Institute...

Science reports that recent analysis of an Inca recordkeeping device in the collection of the University of St. Andrews is upending what archaeologists previously thought about the pre-Columbian South American civilization. Hundreds of years ago, the Incas developed a unique system, using knotted cords known as khipus to record information such as dates, numbers, and transactions. These were typically made from long strands of llama or alpaca hair. It had been thought that the job of creating and maintaining these complicated tools was held by highly educated and elite administrative men who were among Inca society's upper echelon. A new...

The first time I ate a raccoon was about 11 years ago. Some were raiding the chicken coop where we lived, so my roommate and I were charged with dispatching. We trapped one in a Hav-a-Hart, killed it, and being equal parts curious and broke, we cooked it. We braised the first raccoon with a bunch of chili peppers, aromatics, and stock. I was honestly conflicted about the whole ordeal. On the one hand, it smelled damn good as it was cooking. On the other hand, I had a mental block on raccoon as a food. I was brought up...

Red meat has long been associated with cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death globally. But new research offers a new perspective. According to Samitinjaya Dhakal, including red meat in high-quality diets improves adequacy of nutrients related to mental health and was associated with favorable shifts in gut microbial diversity. "What was really compelling was the significant nutritional benefit we saw in healthy eaters who consumed red meat," Dhakal said. "This suggests the public health message shouldn't be about complete elimination, but rather about building a high-quality diet into which lean red meat can fit." Dhakal and his research team...

Mouse model study suggests diet heavy in red meat could worsen inflammation in the colon, potentially fueling IBD conditions. In A Nutshell * Mice fed pork, beef, or mutton for two weeks developed more severe chemically induced colitis compared to controls. * Red meat diets led to greater immune cell infiltration (neutrophils and macrophages) in the colon. * Beneficial gut bacteria decreased, while harmful species increased, shifting the microbiome balance. * Results suggest red meat may intensify intestinal inflammation, but findings are from mice and do not prove direct effects in humans. ============================================================================ BEIJING — Got gut troubles? New research...

ABSTRACT The bite of the lone star tick spreads alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), a condition whose only effect is the creation of a severe but nonfatal red meat allergy. Public health departments warn against lone star ticks and AGS, and scientists are working to develop an inoculation to AGS. Herein, we argue that if eating meat is morally impermissible, then efforts to prevent the spread of tickborne AGS are also morally impermissible. After explaining the symptoms of AGS and how they are transmitted via ticks, we argue that tickborne AGS is a moral bioenhancer if and when it motivates people to...

You don’t need to eat a big slab of meat every day to meet your protein needs. In fact, loading up on animal-based protein, especially from factory-farmed sources, can do more harm than good. Studies show that an excessive amount of red meat can lead to increased inflammation, accelerated aging, and increased risk of chronic disease. One major culprit? A sugar molecule called “Neu5Gc,” commonly found in red meat. Your body sees it as a foreign invader, triggering an immune response that can lead to long-term inflammation. Of course, you should always consult with your doctor before making any drastic...

Aug. 2 (UPI) -- Thousands of frozen hot dogs spilled across Interstate-83 in Pennsylvania, closing the busy highway in both directions after a multi-vehicle collision. State police and four separate fire departments responded to the crash this week at an exit in Shrewsbury, Pa., the Shrewsbury Volunteer Fire Company confirmed on Facebook.

Get that meat outta here. In a world of various kinds of meat alternatives — it can be hard to tell what’s real or not these days. A cattle rancher recently took to social media to share what he discovered to be a “glued meat product” and is instructing others how to spot one when ordering steak at a restaurant. Rockin’ W Ranch Cattle Co. is a family-owned Angus beef ranch that prides itself on being hormone and antibiotic-free. In an Instagram post that has sent waves across the meat-loving community, one of the company’s cattle ranchers is seen picking...

Raising animals for food is one of the most wasteful and resource-intensive practices in farming and by far the most environmentally damaging. A logical question to ask in response to the meat and dairy industries’ destruction of the environment might be, “Why don’t we just get our protein from fruits, vegetables, legumes, and grains instead?” Frustratingly, companies looking into “alternative protein sources” aren’t going for the sustainable, obvious choices but, instead, are pouring energy into options that will turn your stomach—like bugs. Yes, you read that right: bugs. The foundation is already being laid for the production of even more...

Abstract: Here are two commonly held moral views. First, we must save strangers’ lives, at least if we can do so easily: you would be required to rescue a child drowning in a pond even if it will ruin your expensive suit. Second, it is wrong to eat meat because of the suffering caused to animals in factory farms. Many accept both simultaneously—Peter Singer is the pre-eminent example. I point out that these two beliefs are in a sharp and seemingly unrecognised tension and may even be incompatible. It seems universally accepted that doing or allowing a harm is permissible—and...

Independence From Meat Day is observed all across the world on July 4. As you might have noticed, more and more people across the world are choosing vegetarian and vegan lifestyles. This is because both lifestyles promise increased health benefits by limiting meat from our diets. There are a few moral and environmental implications of these lifestyles too. Even if you do not want to give up eating meat, you could observe Independence From Meat Day as an opportunity to enjoy a different kind of diet. Give your palate a do-over and find out what life is like for vegans...

Long before the days of electricity and fridge freezers, meat was preserved by smoke. A new study suggests the practice could stretch back almost 2 million years, and may even be a primary reason our ancestors started making fires in the first place. While the generation of flames is inextricably linked with the rise of humans, in the earliest days it would've required significant time and effort to ignite and keep fires lit. The benefits of preserving meat may have been a key reason why that time and effort was worth it. The study is the work of two researchers...

Hold the tofu. New research suggests that vegans may be more likely to suffer from nutritional deficiencies than their meat-eating Worse still, scientists found that even vegans who hit their daily protein goals with plant-based sources often fall short on two essential amino acids, putting their health at risk. In the US, an estimated 1% to 5% of the population follows a vegan diet, which eliminates all animal products, including meat, dairy and eggs. Over the years, researchers have found that following a plant-based diet can reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers, as well...

WASHINGTON — Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick slammed European Union policies after President Trump announced a 20% tariff on the 27-nation trading bloc — saying that “they hate our beef because our beef is beautiful and theirs is weak.” Lutnick, a former CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, defended Trump’s sweeping “Liberation Day” reciprocal tariffs, which will start taking effect April 5, by pointing to the allegedly unfair treatment of US goods in global trade. “The European Union won’t take chicken from America. They won’t take lobsters from America. They hate our beef because our beef is beautiful and theirs is weak. It’s...

In some regions of the world, wild-caught insects have been a valuable source of protein for centuries. However, the mass farming of insects for food and feed is a modern practice. Over the last decade, the insect farming industry has been hailed as a silver bullet for many of our food system’s problems. The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization has been a proponent since 2013, when it published a report advocating the potential of farmed insect protein to contribute to global food security. Things haven’t worked out quite as planned, however, a reality that was brought into stark relief recently...