Plant based milk is good for the planet, but not quite as good for you

What should you eat to help the climate?

Climate change is impacted by what we eat and what we don't eat. Did you know, for instance, that livestock accounts for 14.5 percent of the world’s greenhouse gases each year? Eating less meat and dairy and more protein-rich plants like beans,...

Beanless 'coffee' is an eco-friendly alternative

As we consider the role of agriculture in climate change, many people are seeking alternatives to the most resource-hungry crops—coffee included. Are new synthetic alternatives the answer? Startups are exploring beanless “coffee” made in a variety of ways.

Vegan cheesemaking relies heavily on nuts and seeds

We might associate vegan cheese with current health trends, but there’s actually been a small-but-growing market for plant-based cheeses since the 19th century. But for vegan cheeses to appeal to a wider demographic, they have to compete with the familiar flavors and textures of dairy cheeses.

How healthy is lab-grown meat?

While meat-less meat options like Beyond and Impossible burgers are known for being the environmentally-friendly alternative to real meat, it’s important to also consider their impact on human health. Health benefits of these meat alternatives...

Tasty vegan ice cream depends on fat

Making delicious ice cream without dairy is a challenge for food scientists because most nondairy milks have more water than fat, which creates tasteless ice crystals when frozen. The key is finding a base with enough fat to give the finished product its signature creamy mouthfeel.

Organic food might be greener, but it’s not better for you

Weighing in on the ongoing debate surrounding organic versus “regular” foods, health experts explain whether organic foods offer significant health benefits. Studies suggest that organic foods have little additional nutritional value compared to...

The nutrients vegetarians and vegans need to keep in mind

Although most older Americans still enjoy their steaks and chicken, an estimated 2.5 million of those ages 55 and older have abandoned red meat and poultry in favor of a predominantly plant-based diet. Some people decide to go vegetarian or vegan...

Nearly half the oxygen we breathe comes from photosynthetic plankton, not plants

Although the Amazon Rainforest is considered the "lungs of the Earth," it only produces 20% of the planet's oxygen, while phytoplankton, or microalgae, generate more than twice as much, despite making up less than 1% of the total mass of photosynthetic organisms on the planet. Through photosynthesis, microalgae also absorb up to 40% of global carbon emissions.

'Diet for a Small Planet' popularized the vegetarian diet

Frances Moore Lappe’s 1971 book provided recipes for vegetarian dishes, introducing millions to soy, sprouts, and tofu. It also argued that a vegetarian diet was a political act that could solve world hunger by redirecting food from livestock to humans.

Explore the water footprint of producing various proteins, fruits, and vegetables

This interactive gallery highlights the various types of water behind the production of biofuels, foods, and materials such as cotton. Diets high in bovine meat, whose production requires 15,415 liters of water per kilogram (1,847 gallons per pound), are among the most water-intensive, whereas every kilogram of vegetables uses 322 liters of water (39 gal/lb) to produce.

The ubiquitous 1990s “Got Milk?” ad campaign was intended to fix milk’s dwindling popularity in the late 20th century

Despite its success in spreading the word about milk, the sales numbers weren’t quite as impressive. This Mental Floss article details the marketing efforts themselves, as well as how milk lobbyists didn’t necessarily succeed despite their revolutionary ads.

Are seed oils as bad as rumors say?

Some claim seed oils—oils extracted from seeds, such as sunflower or canola—increase inflammation and disease risk, advising consumers reach for saturated fats instead. Saturated fats, typically solid at room temperature, are found in animal products and some vegetable oils, including coconut. When adjusting for lifestyle risk factors, research shows seed oils are, on average, good for one's heart and considered healthy alternatives to saturated fat.

The health benefits of matcha tea

Matcha tea has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years. Very likely due to its bright green color, which is conducive to social media post aesthetics. The tea is a powdered form of green tea, and its benefits are touted everywhere. This article examines the evidence for such health claims, finding the tea's key nutrients of theanine, chlorophyll, and caffeine did have small observable effects on study participants. Learn more here.

How scientists are improving on photosynthesis

Researchers increased yield in soy plants by making them better at photosynthesis, the process that powers life. The findings hold promise for feeding a warming world.

See preferred supplements across different countries in 2025, by generation

Millennials and Gen Z typically took more supplements than other age groups across vitamins, proteins, minerals, and herbal supplements, according to 2025 data from a Global Consumer Insights Survey conducted in 55 countries. Roughly two-thirds of Gen Z respondents stated they'd taken vitamins in the past 12 months. (Some users may experience a paywall.)

Solar panels can create pollinator-friendly habitats by protecting flowering plants

An example of agrivoltaics, where land is used for solar energy production and agriculture, the panels provide clean energy while also shading plants from excessive sunlight. Pollinator-friendly plants can improve water quality and reduce soil erosion by obstructing the wind.

The global plastic crisis in images

For decades we have relied on plastics to keep us safe, insulate our homes, and make sure our food stays fresh. But when does plastic’s life come to an end?

Natural toxins produced on plants or consumed by animals may cause food poisoning

When humans eat plants with certain natural toxins on them—including a family of toxins called aflatoxins that fungi produce on crops like peanuts and corn— they can become ill with food poisoning. Toxins can still harm humans even if animals or plants appear fine to the human eye. The World Health Organization advises that we should throw away moldy or discolored foods, refrain from eating wild plants or mushrooms that aren’t definitively nonpoisonous, and remember that just because something is “natural” it’s not always safe to eat.

Why cows are loving their new robot caretakers

Autonomous robots are transforming dairy farming by letting cows choose when to be milked or cleaned. Dairy robot manufacturer Lely says this ability to decide reduces a cow's stress and increases milk production. The robot systems are costly, but are marketed as increasing efficiency for dairy farmers. And the cows appear to love them.

The non-alcoholic wine market

A no-nonsense, stats-based exploration of the relatively new market for nonalcoholic wine. Driven by people looking to consume less or no alcohol at all, production of nonalcoholic wine has increased dramatically over the last few years. This report details the basics of nonalcoholic winemaking, as well as the current state of the market and what to expect in the future.

Most of the world’s population has difficulty processing lactose—but that’s not an allergy

Lactose intolerance is a digestive condition that occurs when the small intestine has difficulty breaking down lactose, a sugar found in products like milk or cheese, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea or bloating. Almost 70% of the world’s population may have lactose processing issues, particularly in Asia and Africa. This is different from a condition called cow's milk protein allergy—an immune system disorder that can cause hives and anaphylaxis.

Scientists testing how climate change affects plants found, in a years-long simulation study, that poison ivy grew 70% faster with the resulting extra carbon dioxide.

Student protests over endowments

College students across the country are urging their universities to divest from a range of companies—some tied to business in Israel, others linked to climate change. But what does “divestment” actually mean when it comes to billion-dollar endowments? In this episode of Planet Money, the hosts break down how endowment divestment works, and why its impact might not be as straightforward as protesters hope.

Critical mineral production may lift impoverished regions out of poverty

Mineral wealth can provide public revenue and economic livelihoods to those in mining regions. However, poor management and lack of oversight can cause human rights abuses, environmental degradation, and significant greenhouse gas emissions.

Why a Montreal Protocol amendment cut back on the replacements for CFCs

Hydrofluorocarbons were introduced in the 1990s as ozone-safe substitutes for chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons. However, scientists later found that they trap thousands of times more thermal energy in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide does, prompting a 2016 amendment to the Protocol to phase them out.

Distinguishing club soda, seltzer, and sparkling water

The three forms of drinking water are similar, but their differences lie mostly in the presence and proportion of minerals and carbonation. Read this quick explainer on the major differences.

Artificial coral reefs have been 3D printed from nontoxic, biodegradable terracotta clay, which coral polyps have used as a foundation for rebuilding marine ecosystems.

An investigation suggests a Scottish island became awash in forever chemicals via seafoam and seaspray—raising questions about what that means for the safety of other coastal areas.

Some renewable energy sources may weaken the resiliency of electric grids by removing outage buffers provided by coal- and natural gas-fired plants, which provide the system with more time to find a new power source if a plant goes down.

Indefinite cloning of some endangered species may not sustain their longevity because cloning success rates decrease as genetic mutations accumulate.

Read a deep dive on the 'all-purpose healing' peptide BPC-157.

Studies suggest when you sleep is as important as how much you get, and syncing with your circadian rhythms may lead to less fatigue and improved long-term health outcomes

The price of gas is a composite made up of several different factors, with the federal gas tax making up less than 20% of what drivers pay at the pump.

Up to a million Girl Scouts sell about 200 million cookie boxes every spring, generating $800 million, largely because refusing a child is frowned upon

After the Boston Tea Party, colonists switched to coffee, which became the main morning drink for revolutionaries.

Alzheimer's can lead to brain shrinkage, with an average of around 2% of volume reduction per year

Netflix profits when you're not watching, and its movies are designed that way—read a detail-rich critical essay exposing lesser-known Netflix takes

This site reaches millions of visitors who are tired of AI chatbots and seeking human connection. Pretend to be an AI chatbot and ask questions, provide answers, and draw for people in real time.

US housing costs have risen by roughly 175% between 1991 and 2026—but a growing number of Gen Zers are becoming homeowners anyway. In 2025, 4% of homebuyers were Gen Z, up from 3% the year before.

Dozens of S&P 500 stocks, including Coca-Cola and Walmart—known as the dividend aristocrats—have increased dividends every year for 25 years

Sunflowers have long been a symbol of nuclear disarmament because they can extract large amounts of radioactive cesium from soil.

'Silent' fireworks have gained more interest in recent years as a quieter celebratory option.

Lesser-known phobias include turophobia, or the fear of cheese, and nomophobia, the fear of being without your cell phone.

Memecoins are a type of cryptocurrency—a form of digital currency with a wide variety of uses—created around popular 'memes,' or viral internet jokes.

The boiling temperature of water decreases with increasing elevation because the molecules need less energy to overcome the lower atmospheric pressure associated with thinner air.

See the 25 of the best photos of auroras from around the world.

Take a 3D tour of the Hajj, Islam's annual pilgrimage to Mecca, undertaken by more than 1.5 million Muslims each year.

The syncytiotrophoblast is the outer layer of the placenta and the largest human cell, spanning an area about twice that of a king-sized bedsheet.

The history of many kitchen appliances involves unexpected discoveries and applications, including wartime radar turned hamster defroster and replacing an 'ice king' with heat-stealing boxes.

The American Society of Civil Engineers' infrastructure report card gave the US a C in 2025, its highest grade since the project launched in 1998.