Environmental and nutritional performance of ‘superfood’-enriched diets: A comparative analysis of three dietary recommendations

IF 9.8 1区 社会学 Q1 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
Ana Fernández-Ríos, Jara Laso, Rubén Aldaco, María Margallo
{"title":"Environmental and nutritional performance of ‘superfood’-enriched diets: A comparative analysis of three dietary recommendations","authors":"Ana Fernández-Ríos,&nbsp;Jara Laso,&nbsp;Rubén Aldaco,&nbsp;María Margallo","doi":"10.1016/j.eiar.2025.107860","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Eating habits are continuously evolving, shaped by cultural convictions, socioeconomic factors, and new market trends. This study examines the rise in ‘superfoods' – ‘exotic’ natural foods with scientifically proven superior nutritional profiles – and their environmental interactions when used to fill nutritional gaps within common diets. Focusing on three well-established patterns - the Mediterranean (MD), vegan (VD), and Healthy Eating Plate (HEP) diets – the nutritional quality is measured using the Spanish Nutrient Rich Diet 9.2 (sNRD9.2) model, and environmental impacts are assessed through life cycle assessment (LCA) on a weekly per capita basis. Results show that ‘superfoods' boost nutritional quality by 3.5 %, 4.7 %, and 5.6 % for MD, VD, and HEP diets, respectively, yet increase environmental burdens in five to six of seven categories. However, a combined analysis of nutritional and environmental outcomes reveals contrasting effects: when nutritional improvements are factored in, environmental indicators show reductions of up to 28 % for water scarcity, 8.3 % for acidification, and 5.3 % for global warming. While these results suggest some benefits, heightened impacts in other areas call for further optimization of production systems. Challenges also persist in integrating unfamiliar foods into diets, underscoring the need for a balanced approach to sustainability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":309,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Impact Assessment Review","volume":"112 ","pages":"Article 107860"},"PeriodicalIF":9.8000,"publicationDate":"2025-02-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Environmental Impact Assessment Review","FirstCategoryId":"90","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195925525000575","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0

Abstract

Eating habits are continuously evolving, shaped by cultural convictions, socioeconomic factors, and new market trends. This study examines the rise in ‘superfoods' – ‘exotic’ natural foods with scientifically proven superior nutritional profiles – and their environmental interactions when used to fill nutritional gaps within common diets. Focusing on three well-established patterns - the Mediterranean (MD), vegan (VD), and Healthy Eating Plate (HEP) diets – the nutritional quality is measured using the Spanish Nutrient Rich Diet 9.2 (sNRD9.2) model, and environmental impacts are assessed through life cycle assessment (LCA) on a weekly per capita basis. Results show that ‘superfoods' boost nutritional quality by 3.5 %, 4.7 %, and 5.6 % for MD, VD, and HEP diets, respectively, yet increase environmental burdens in five to six of seven categories. However, a combined analysis of nutritional and environmental outcomes reveals contrasting effects: when nutritional improvements are factored in, environmental indicators show reductions of up to 28 % for water scarcity, 8.3 % for acidification, and 5.3 % for global warming. While these results suggest some benefits, heightened impacts in other areas call for further optimization of production systems. Challenges also persist in integrating unfamiliar foods into diets, underscoring the need for a balanced approach to sustainability.
求助全文
约1分钟内获得全文 求助全文
来源期刊
CiteScore
12.60
自引率
10.10%
发文量
200
审稿时长
33 days
期刊介绍: Environmental Impact Assessment Review is an interdisciplinary journal that serves a global audience of practitioners, policymakers, and academics involved in assessing the environmental impact of policies, projects, processes, and products. The journal focuses on innovative theory and practice in environmental impact assessment (EIA). Papers are expected to present innovative ideas, be topical, and coherent. The journal emphasizes concepts, methods, techniques, approaches, and systems related to EIA theory and practice.
×
引用
GB/T 7714-2015
复制
MLA
复制
APA
复制
导出至
BibTeX EndNote RefMan NoteFirst NoteExpress
×
提示
您的信息不完整,为了账户安全,请先补充。
现在去补充
×
提示
您因"违规操作"
具体请查看互助需知
我知道了
×
提示
确定
请完成安全验证×
copy
已复制链接
快去分享给好友吧!
我知道了
右上角分享
点击右上角分享
0
联系我们:info@booksci.cn Book学术提供免费学术资源搜索服务,方便国内外学者检索中英文文献。致力于提供最便捷和优质的服务体验。 Copyright © 2023 布克学术 All rights reserved.
京ICP备2023020795号-1
ghs 京公网安备 11010802042870号
Book学术文献互助
Book学术文献互助群
群 号:481959085
Book学术官方微信