Research suggests eating beans instead of beef would sharply reduce greenhouse gasses

[OKIsItJustMe]

https://news.llu.edu/for-journalists/press-releases/research-suggests-eating-beans-instead-of-beef-would-sharply-reduce-greenhouse-gasses

Research suggests eating beans instead of beef would sharply reduce greenhouse gasses

A team of researchers from four American universities says the key to reducing harmful greenhouse gases (GHG) in the short term is more likely to be found on the dinner plate than at the gas pump.

The team, headed by Loma Linda University (LLU) researcher Helen Harwatt, PhD, suggests that one simple change in American eating habits would have a large impact on the environment: if Americans would eat beans instead of beef, the United States would immediately realize approximately 50 to 75 percent of its GHG reduction targets for the year 2020.

The researchers explained that beef cattle are the most GHG-intensive food to produce and that the production of legumes (beans, peas, etc.) results in one-fortieth the amount of GHGs as beef.

…

“Given the scale of greenhouse gas reductions needed to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, are we prepared to eat beef analogs that look and taste like beef, but have a much lower climate impact?” she asks. “It looks like we’ll need to do this. The scale of the reductions in greenhouse gas emissions needed doesn’t allow us the luxury of ‘business as usual’ eating patterns.”

[Binkie The Clown]

1. Plus, populations that eat a lot of beans live significantly longer than carnivores.

Beans, beans, they’re good for your heart; the more you eat, the…longer you live? Legumes may be the most important predictor of survival in older people from around the globe. Researchers from institutions around the world looked at five different cohorts in Japan, Sweden, Greece, and Australia. Of all the food factors they looked at, only one was associated with a longer lifespan across the board: legume intake. Whether it was the Japanese eating their soy, the Swedes eating their brown beans and peas, or those in the Mediterranean eating lentils, chickpeas, and white beans, legume intake was associated with an increased lifespan. In fact, it was the only result that was plausible, consistent, and statistically significant from the data across all the populations combined. We’re talking an 8% reduction in risk of death for every 20 gram increase in daily legume intake. That’s just two tablespoons worth! ...

If we want to increase our lifespan, we should eat beans. If, however, one wants to decrease their lifespan, studies suggest eating a bean-free diet may increase our risk of death.

source: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/eat-beans-to-live-longer.html

[Jane Austin]

2. That's a big, fat softball

For all you comedians out there.

[OKIsItJustMe]

3. I've been pleased to see that no one has made the obligatory joke

Although it's been alluded to in two postings now…

[littlemissmartypants]

4. Someone needs to cross post to the Humor group.

And let the games begin.

[eppur_se_muova]

5. Oh, the irony ... nt