“Impacto Ambiental y Cumplimiento de Criterios Nutricionales en Patrones Dietéticos (Hiperproteico, Omnívoro, Vegano, y Vegetariano) mediante el Análisis del Ciclo de Vida (ACV)”

  • Joselina Huerta Oros (Supervisor)
  • Brenda Nelly Puente Verástegui
  • Alicia Marcela Teviño Cavazos
  • Elisa de León Rivera
  • Lucía Peña Bedolla

Student thesis: Thesis

Abstract

This following study presents a comparative analysis of current, various diets pursued by the Mexican population and their environmental impact using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, as well as the evaluation of nutritional quality. The importance of the project aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly goals 2 (Zero Hunger) and 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), promoting a sustainable food production system and raising awareness about the environmental impact and nutritional value of diet.
The objective is to assess the environmental impact of high-protein, omnivorous, vegan, and vegetarian diets with LCA, through Simapro® software, focusing on 11 environmental categories related to raw material extraction and production. Data on dietary habits from 140 Mexican patients (35 for each type of diet) aged 18-69 were gathered through three 24-hour recalls and a food frequency questionnaire. Nutritional quality was assessed using Food Processor® software. Results showed the high-protein diet generated the greatest environmental impact, dominating 8 out of 11 categories (Global warming, terrestrial acidification, freshwater eutrophication, terrestrial ecotoxicity, freshwater ecotoxicity, human carcinogenic toxicity, land use, and mineral resource scarcity). On the other hand, the omnivorous diet had the lowest impact, not leading in any category. Vegan and vegetarian diets, while having a significant impact, showed lower environmental incidence compared to the high-protein diet. In conclusion, the consumption of a high-protein, vegetarian, and vegan diet generates significantly greater environmental impact than the consumption of an omnivorous diet. This information helps guide us all in making more informed dietary decisions.
Date of Award10 Dec 2024
Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
  • Universidad de Monterrey

Keywords

  • high-protein;
  • omnivorous;
  • environmental impact;
  • vegan;
  • vegetarian;
  • current diets; nutritional quality; Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);
  • Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

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