Do Racial Inequalities Influence the Diet of Brazilians?

In Brazil, eating habits vary significantly according to racial background. A recent analysis reveals that white adults consume more fruits and vegetables than Black and mixed-race individuals. These differences are not explained by individual preferences, but by deep-seated social and economic inequalities rooted in colonial history and slavery.

White Brazilians eat raw and cooked vegetables, salads, and fruits more regularly. In contrast, Black and mixed-race Brazilians favor beans, a nutritious, affordable food deeply embedded in Afro-Brazilian culture. However, fruit and vegetable consumption remains insufficient across all groups: only a quarter of white people, one-fifth of Black people, and less than one-fifth of mixed-race people eat enough each day.

These gaps are explained by unequal living conditions. Black and mixed-race populations often have lower incomes, limited access to education, and unstable employment. They also live in neighborhoods where fresh foods are less available and more expensive. Thus, beans, being inexpensive and filling, become a practical solution to these constraints.

Public policies must therefore address the structural causes of these disparities. Improving access to local markets, supporting family farming, and regulating the prices of ultra-processed products could help reduce these inequalities. Recognizing the cultural importance of traditional foods, such as beans, while facilitating access to a varied diet is essential for a fairer society.

References

Origin of the Study

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-026-02900-8

Title: Racial Inequalities in the Consumption of Unprocessed and Minimally Processed Foods among Brazilian Adults

Journal: Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Risia Cristina Egito de Menezes; Giovana Longo-Silva; Juliana Souza Oliveira; Emilia Chagas Costa; Luiz Gonzaga Ribeiro Silva-Neto; Larissa de Lima Soares; Nathalia Barbosa de Aquino; Joice Alves Gaia; Ana Paula Grotti Clemente