Pasture Raised Advantage Nutrition Study » Meat Industry Association

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MIA Innovation Limited is partnering with Beef + Lamb New Zealand Limited and the High Value Nutrition National Science Challenge in a $2 million programme of research and development, investigating the impact of eating pasture raised red meat on health and well being when consumed as part of a well-balanced diet.

Much of the global research on the health, nutritional and environmental aspects of red meat is based on grain-finished farming systems, whereas New Zealand specialises in livestock farming that is uniquely natural grass-fed, antibiotic-free and hormone-free. We know that red meat is a highly nutritious wholefood rich in protein and minerals and when included in a balanced diet is a great way to ensure nutrient requirements are met. This ground-breaking research programme will explore the differences between pasture raised beef and lamb, grain fed beef and alternative proteins.

More information can be found on the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Inc website.

News

June 2022

Research confirms red meat nutritional advantage over alternative

Findings from a human clinical trial for the Pasture Raised Advantage research programme have found that meat delivers more of the essential protein building blocks compared to a plant-based alternative.

Researchers measured the nutrients in the blood of the 30 participants following a single meal of red meat or a plant-based alternative protein and saw a significant difference in the type and amounts of amino acids that come from the digestion of the different types of protein. Amino acids from red meat were of greater biological value and better absorbed by the body, which indicates that red meat is probably a better source of protein for the body than highly processed plant-based products promoted as meat alternatives

To see the full press release, follow this link

https://www.agresearch.co.nz/news/research-confirms-red-meat-nutritional-advantage-over-alternative/

October 2021

New study highlights differences in New Zealand beef

Researchers have compared the digestion differences between pasture-raised beef, grain-finished beef and a plant-based alternative. To mimic the human digestive tract, researchers used simulators in the laboratory to observe the differences.

Meat and the alternative plant-based product are made up of various components including fat and protein. When we digest food, our body breaks it down for us to use to do a range of functions, including building muscle and providing an energy source.

This research showed:

What an animal eats impacts the nutritional properties of meat. This work confirms animals eating pasture raises the levels of omega-3 fatty acids in meat, particularly long chain omega-3 PUFAs when compared to meat from grain-finished animals. It is well known these fats (that we typically find in fish), provide health benefits such as improving blood cholesterol
Digestion studies show that pasture-raised beef provides more of the desirable omega-3 fatty acids when the meat is digested, compared to that released from grain-finished beef. The plant-based alternative used in this study contained no long chain omega-3 PUFAs.
Beef is highly digestible, meaning it breaks down efficiently. The plant-based alternative used in the research had lower digestibility during the course of digestion.

To see the full press release, follow this link

As part of this research programme, researchers have compared the digestion differences between pasture-raised beef, grain-finished beef, and a plant-based alternative. To mimic the human digestive tract, researchers used simulators in the laboratory to observe the differences.

Due to the comprehensive nature of the research, there are many questions that may arise. We’ve provided answers to some of the most common questions here.

Dr Lovedeep Kaur discusses the study in this video

Resources

	Factum - Agri, Dr Scott Knowles. Agresearch Follow this link to the podcast with Dr Scott Knowles describing the Pasture Raised Advantage Research Programme. Part 1 of 5		Factum - Agri, Dr Scott Knowles. Agresearch - Pt 2 Follow this link to the second podcast with Dr Scott Knowles describing the Pasture Raised Advantage Research Programme Part 2 of 5
	Factum-Agri, Dr Lovedeep Kaur Follow this link to the podcast with Dr Lovedeep Kaur describing the Pasture Raised Advantage Research Programme Part 3 of 5		Factum-Agri, Dr Andrea Braakhuis Follow this link to the podcast with Dr Andrea Braakhuis describing the Pasture Raised Advantage Research Programme Part 4 of 5
	Factum Agri - does vegetarianism cause depression? Follow this link to the podcast with Dr Andrea Braakhuis discussing whether vegetarianism causes depression. Part 5 of 5
	Progress Report June 2021		This introductory video explains the principles behind the study and what we are doing.
	November 2020 Media Release. New Zealand scientists lead the charge to expore benefits of pasture-raised beef and lamb		This short video introduces the concept behind the study.
	The Pasture Raised Advantage infographic		In this short video participants and researchers from the study explain why this research is important.
	The Pasture Raised Advantage Fact Sheet