'It's healthier': Experts recommend replacing meat with this food urgently.

Researchers, doctors, nutritionists, and public health experts have issued the recommendation to urgently reduce meat consumption . They recommended replacing it with legumes , a plant-based food that offers excellent protein while being affordable and much more environmentally friendly.

Recent research from the University of Granada has shown that replacing meat with plant-based proteins reduces cholesterol, improves body weight, and decreases the risk of chronic diseases.

Nutrition specialists, in turn, emphasize the benefits of including legumes such as lentils, chickpeas, and beans in the daily diet, not only for their nutritional value, but also for their positive effect on intestinal and cardiovascular health.

Within this framework, the scientific community and consumer organizations reiterate that moving toward a diet based more on plant-based foods is not only possible, but necessary to protect human health and the sustainability of the planet.

According to a survey conducted by the Federation of Consumers and Users (CECU) , 35% of Spaniards have already reduced their meat consumption, while 22% have considered doing so and another 23% would be willing to consider it. The main reasons behind this change are health (42%) and environmental concerns (32%). Furthermore, the survey reflects greater awareness among women (39%) and people over 65 (48%) regarding meat consumption.

(READ MORE: These are the 7 towns near Bogotá where you could live peacefully with your family )

Benefits of legumes

Among their great benefits, legumes make the following contributions to health:

High fiber content: This promotes optimal digestion, improves intestinal health, increases feelings of satiety, and helps with weight control. Fiber also helps reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol and stabilizes blood sugar levels, especially benefiting people with diabetes.

An important source of vegetable protein: They are essential for vegetarians and vegans, and when combined with cereals like rice, they improve protein quality by providing all the essential amino acids. Rich in minerals and vitamins: They contain iron, potassium, calcium, zinc, and B vitamins (such as folic acid), which are essential for the formation of red blood cells.

Cardiovascular benefits: Its consumption can help reduce hypertension, decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease, and improve the lipid profile due to its low saturated fat and cholesterol content.

(READ MORE: This is the prettiest surname in all of Colombia, according to AI )

Legume consumption remains low

As revealed in an article published by El Economista.es , despite these advances, legume consumption in Spain remains low: just 3.36 kg per person per year, well below the 11.5 kg recommended by nutritional authorities. This situation contrasts with the fact that 73% of the population identifies legumes as a "very healthy" and "low-pollution" food, and more than 50% recognize them as the best plant-based substitute for meat in terms of protein. CECU points out that this gap between intention and behavior is due to various factors, including a lack of accurate nutritional information, price perception, and a still-limited supply in everyday shopping spaces. For this reason, the organization urges public administrations, supermarkets, educational centers, and hospitals to facilitate access to local, fresh, and seasonal legumes and vegetable products.

“The environment must allow for healthy choices: fair prices, clear information, and the real availability of plant-based options,” said Sarahi Boleko, a food expert at CECU.