A vegetarian is someone who does not consume any meat, chicken and fish or by-products of animal slaughter. Vegetarian diets contain a variety of plant-based food such as vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts and seeds. The common reasons for choosing to be a vegetarian include parental preferences, religious and health issues. Many people choose to be a vegetarian out of the concern over animal rights or the environment too. There are literally plenty of great reasons you should be a vegetarian, here are 10 of the best we’ve compiled.
- Reduce the risk of getting cancer
Regularly consuming a vegetarian diet is able to reduce the risk of getting cancers. According to The International Journal of Cancer, red meat and processed meat is consistently associated with an increase in the risk of colorectal cancer. Vegetarians’ immune systems are more effective in killing off tumor cells compared to meat eaters.
- To lose weight in a good way
Averagely, vegetarians tend to have a lower body mass index (BMI) than meat eaters. Meat tends to come along with extra unhealthy fats and cholesterol. Consumption of a diet that is high in fiber-rich food such as fruits and vegetables is able to keep your weight down.
- Reduce the risk of heart disease
Long-term consumption of extra unhealthy fats and cholesterol is more likely to cause heart disease. Vegetarians eat less animal fats, replacing it with more fiber and antioxidants nutrients that protect the heart and its arteries. Vegetarian diets tend to naturally lower down the risk of heart disease.
- To show animal compassions
Many people are becoming vegetarian because of the animal issues. There are an increase in cruel techniques to raise animals and slaughter them for meat in commercial farming. It is very disturbing. You may lower the demand for this kind of meat and reduce the amount of animals getting suffered by being a vegetarian.
- Avoid toxic chemicals
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that nearly 95% of pesticide residue in our diet comes from meat, fish and dairy products. Fish contain heavy metals such as lead and mercury while meat and dairy products are laced with hormones and steroids that cannot be removed through cooking. Having a vegetarian diet, you’ll avoid toxic chemicals in your food.
- You’ll live longer, slow the aging process
Plant-based diets are generally high in fibre, vitamins and minerals which is able to strengthen your immune system and slow down the aging process. According to the study from the Mortality in British Vegetarians, vegetarian diets add an average of six years life span.
- Ease the symptoms of menopause
Many foods contain nutrients that are beneficial to perimenopausal and menopausal women. A plant-based diet is rich in natural phytoestrogens that can increase and decrease estrogen and progesterone levels. Thus, maintaining a balance of them in diet helps to provide a more comfortable passage through menopause. A low-fat and high fiber vegetarian diet can help to ease the symptoms of menopause.
- Build strong bones
Researchers found out that the average bone loss for a vegetarian woman at age 65 is 18% while it’s double that for a non-vegetarian woman. Excess animal proteins interfere with the absorption and retention of calcium. In order to balance the blood acidity, the body will pull calcium from your bones. You can get a healthful dose of calcium from soymilk, dry beans, broccoli and kale to build strong bones.
- Help to reduce pollution
Animal agriculture activities are causing pollution. For instance, manure from livestock generate more greenhouse gases, farm equipment and animal facilities cause water and air pollution, toxic chemicals from pesticides threaten water quality etc. Therefore, adopting a vegetarian diet is able to help reduce pollution.
- Protect yourself from food-borne diseases
Food rich in protein like meat, fish, poultry and seafood are frequently involved in food-borne illness outbreaks. Going vegetarian diets is like giving your body a spring cleaning as giving up meat helps to purge the body of toxins that overload our immune system and cause illness especially food-borne diseases. To begin a detoxification process, replace meats with fruits and vegetables.
