Vegetarians eliminate meat and its products from their diet. People most often switch to a meat-free diet for the sake of health benefits, religious and ethical reasons. The American Dietetic Association has explored the first of these premises.
Health is affected not only by the vegetarian diet itself, but also by the time we use it. There are many reasons to live on it all your life.
Heart and circulatory system
The risk of developing ischemic heart disease is reduced by up to 57%. for a safe cholesterol level. The lipid content also decreases, the body’s efficiency increases, especially when exercising and quitting cigarettes. The lower weight that accompanies this eating style cures hypertension.
Diabetes
Vegetarians are twice as likely to develop diabetes, and their meals facilitate glycemic control if they have already suffered from type XNUMX diabetes.
Obesity
Regardless of gender or age, vegetarians have a lower BMI – body mass index, because they eat food that is lower in fat and calories. This is especially pronounced when a meat-free diet has been followed for more than 5 years.
Tumors
Vegetarians are less likely to develop cancer than the general population. The most pronounced decrease is observed in the tendency to develop prostate and colorectal cancer. Phytochemicals present in vegetables and fruits have an antioxidant effect, which is why they reduce the risk of cancer and limit the growth of possible cancer cells. Whole grain products are also of great importance in the prevention of cancer.
The World Organization for Research on Cancer has stated that:
the likelihood of developing cancer of the mouth, esophagus, lungs, stomach and large intestine will be minimized by vegetables and fruits,
garlic will protect us from colon cancer,
legumes prevent prostate and stomach cancer,
soya is worth eating to protect against breast cancer,
in order to avoid prostate cancer, we should eat red fruits, because they are rich in lycopene,
The fiber in cereal products, as well as in fruits and vegetables helps to reduce the risk of colon cancer.
Osteoporosis
People choosing a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet do not have differences in bone density compared to carnivores. However, vegans should pay particular attention to the level of calcium and vitamin D3. Lifelong consumption of foods rich in potassium, magnesium and vitamin K, while maintaining moderation in protein and sodium-containing foods, is not without significance in preventing osteoporosis.
Dementia
The richness of antioxidants together with low blood pressure prevents the development of cerebrovascular diseases. People who give up meat, as long as they take care of the appropriate supply of vitamin B12, can successfully protect themselves from the development of dementia.
Urinary tract
Among middle-aged women who are vegetarians, gallstones are much less common. Both excessive consumption of meat and vegetable protein sometimes leads to the onset or worsening of chronic kidney problems. The remedy is most often a vegan diet, the basis of which should be soy.
Rheumatism
In the treatment of rheumatism, we often encounter the recommendation of fasting, after which we should switch to a meat-free diet.