Meat consumption under pressure: healthy or harmful to the environment? The truth!
Find out what advantages and disadvantages meat consumption has for health, the environment and the economy.

Meat consumption under pressure: healthy or harmful to the environment? The truth!
The debate about meat consumption in Austria and Germany is becoming more intense, and the numbers speak for themselves: According to Statistics Austria, every Austrian consumes an average of 57.6 kilograms of meat per year, a decrease compared to 2014, when it was 65 kilograms. This trend is viewed critically by many experts because, despite falling numbers, the amount of meat eaten remains high, and there are vehement discussions about the health risks and ecological consequences of meat consumption, such as crown reported.
The popularity of meat has roots in millions of years of human tradition, without which there would not be much discussion about the advantages and disadvantages. Meat is a rich source of protein that the body needs for vital processes - but the health disadvantages cannot be ignored. Too much red meat can lead to serious illnesses such as heart attacks or diabetes. The problem of antibiotic residues in meat production is also a hot topic, as these can make germs resistant to drugs. A healthy level of meat consumption is therefore crucial. Many people are therefore considering trying alternatives to plant-based diets, which take economic and health aspects into account Sciodoo.
Advantages and disadvantages of meat consumption
The meat industry is an important sector in Germany with an annual turnover of around 45 billion euros and over 150,000 jobs. At the same time, the environmental damage of factory farming is heavily criticized, as forests are cleared for animal feed production, which significantly increases CO₂ emissions. But there are also voices who claim that proper grazing can have positive effects on the climate, as cattle help to sequester carbon and make the soil more fertile. This dual view of meat consumption, from both a health and environmental perspective, makes it clear that a thoughtful approach to meat is necessary for a sustainable future.