US Republican vice-presidential nominee JD Vance has vouched for Indian vegetarian dishes over lab-made “fake” meat which he says is “disgusting”. Speaking at a podcast with wellness expert Joe Rogan Vance, married to an Indian American said fake meat was 'highly processed garbage' which creeps him out.

Vance said his wife Usha prepares tasty Indian dishes and said that all vegetarians should go for "paneer, rice, and delicious chickpeas".

Also known as cultured or cultivated meat – it is grown from the cells of an animal, without any need to slaughter to obtain the meat. The animal’s cells are cultivated in stainless steel drums known as bioreactors - engineered to encourage replication of cells or growth of biological mass.

The products that result from this process have been met with excitement due to their potential to replace the millions of animals being raised on factory farms around the world.

Experts say since cultured meat is produced in laboratory environments, it does not suffer from contamination and health issues that plague traditional meat producers like antibiotic resistance and foodborne and zoonotic illnesses.

According to studies, around 3-6 per cent of Americans are vegan and vegetarians. Even though these meats may seem like healthy options, plant-based meats go through rigorous processing in which most of the nutrients get lost. These also lack fibre and have preservatives along with artificial colours and seasonings.

Studies say eating more fruits, vegetables, and plant-based foods is a long-standing nutritional recommendation for better health. Current Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025 support vegetarian diets as a dietary option to promote health and prevent disease.

Several studies say vegetarian and vegan diets help keep blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes controlled and regulated. Vegetarian diets exclude meat, poultry, and seafood, while vegan foods further eliminate other animal products like eggs and dairy.

According to statistics, vegetarian diets support blood sugar control, reducing hemoglobin A1c by 0.40 per cent and lowering body mass index by 0.96. These diets may also allow for a reduction in diabetes medication and may improve insulin sensitivity by about 10 per cent as compared to non-vegetarian diets.

Indian staple foods like curd, salad, roti, dals, and vegetables usually have lots of rice and wheat flour. The meal is prepared from scratch leaving little scope for processed foods. Vegetables are also packed with all essential nutrients like antioxidants, iron, vitamins A, C, K, folic acids, calcium, and a range of other micronutrients. Lentils are a storehouse of protein apart from folate, iron, and vitamin B1, which support heart health and prevent chronic diseases.

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