Meat Substitute Burgers and Cancer-Causing Glyphosate. Two major vegan burgers have tested positive for cancer-causing glyphosate. On top of a long list of already toxic and inflammatory ingredients.
Meat Substitute Burgers: A Real Problem
The recent push towards veganism has brought many meat-alternatives to the market. A major problem that is overlooked by many is that many of these fake meat products are actually very unhealthy. Many toxins are right there on the label: fillers, additives, artificial colors, soy, highly refined sugars, oils, and grains. But the latest news is that many of these top-selling products also contain concerning amounts of Monsanto’s widely-known cancer-causing herbicide Glyphosate.
Cancer-Causing Glyphosate
Glyphosate is the main ingredient in America’s most popular weed killer, Roundup. Roundup is a herbicide that was patented by a company called Monsanto. Monsanto is also at the forefront of the GMO movement. Roundup is being used tandem with these GMO crops that have been bred to be resistant to glyphosate. What this means is GMO crops are being hit with levels of glyphosate that have been proven in court to causing cancer. Unfortunately, these same particles are being found in popular fake-meat burgers.
Studies show that 0.1 part per billion of glyphosate has shown to alter gene functions, and the new Impossible Burger tested positive for 11ppb of glyphosate. These tests were run by independent labs, funded by a non-profit group called Moms Across America. The same group was responsible for testing another meat-alternative Beyond Meat Burger, which boasts GMO ingredients and also came back positive for glyphosate.
Glyphosate herbicides have not only been proven to be carcinogenic, neurotoxic, and endocrine disruptive at levels much lower than what is found in both these vegan burgers.
Is Red Meat Even A Danger?
Through all this concern of glyphosate and GMOs, we haven’t yet even addressed the underlying problem that red meat isn’t actually the problem in the first place. Although it has been demonized in the media, the facts don’t actually support the story– and may even prove the opposite is true. These meat substitute burgers may be much more harmful.
The Anti-Meat Narrative is Getting Old
The anti-meat (especially red meat) narrative has been propagated by the World Health Organization. However, it’s rooted in an epidemiological study that correlated red meat with cancer. What an epidemiological study does, is take survey answers and draws correlations. They draw conclusions without actually trying to replicate them in a laboratory setting. The problem is that epidemiological studies do not prove (or often even suggest) causation.
The problem with these studies goes one step further. All red meat is treated equally whether it is pasture-raised and organic, or grain-fed factory farmed. It’s no surprise that the quality of the meat is absolutely dependent on the diet and lifestyle that this animal had. To consider all ‘meat’ is yielding false results. Plus, pushing meat substitute burgers over quality grass-fed beef is not the answer.
Not only is the quality of two steaks, for example, not being considered– but a fast-food burger is actually considered in the same ‘red meat’ category as a steak. To take it one step further, the other food consumed with the meat isn’t factored in either. Whether someone is ordering a burger, french fries, and an ice cream sundae, or having a home-cooked pastured raised grass-fed steak with organic sweet potato and asparagus: both are just considered ‘red meat’.
These epidemiological studies are essentially useless from the get-go. Trying to understand how red meat plays into a diet (without considering the quality and overall diet) renders these conclusions laughable.
Avoid Glyphosate: Go Organic
In a world full of harmful farming practices, going organic is becoming non-negotiable. Rampant herbicides like Glyphosate have become widespread. It is even making its way in trace amounts in some organic produce, due to rainfall and irrigation. That being said, buying organic food is the best way to mitigate exposure.
The shift towards more affordable organic produce is happening before our eyes. Companies like Costco and Aldi are providing more organic options than ever. The more we vote with our dollar, the more farmers will be incentivized to produce using organic and regenerative farming. This will lower prices on organic products.
Avoid Meat Substitute Burgers: Eat Real Food
Apart from buying organic, the real solution to cultivating vibrant health is to just eat real food. The more processed and packaged food becomes, the less life force it has. Cooking for yourself enables you to know exactly what goes into your meals, and puts you in control of the quality of each ingredient.
For more information on glyphosate, and tips on how to naturally and safely detox from exposure- click any of the tabs at the top of this site.
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Getting your family to ditch the processed stuff and eat real foods that build their brain, and nourish their body can be challenging.
With so many of your children’s friends eating non-natural snacks or foods with additives or sugar, or other issues—it can be so difficult to know what to include in their lunch—or to have on the go (in case they get hungry… which is often!)
At the same time, this is such a crucial stage of their development: what you feed your children (and the entire family) has such a massive impact in their genes and future health.