Ecology, Health and Nutrition: February 2016

Friday, February 26, 2016

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THIS SIX THINGS HAPPEN WHEN YOU STOP EATING MEAT

If you have same basic knowledge of plant-based diet, it is likely that you know some of the health benefits of switching to a meat-free diet. In fact, there are many non-meat eaters who tell us these wonderful things will come to us by quitting meat and there are more and more people adopting plant-based diets. They do this for different reasons, but mainly for losing weight, reducing the risk of heart disease, getting an energy boost, and so on. If you are interested in this topic already, check out the benefits of going plant-based:

1. You can Lose a Few Pounds

Even though the general obesity rate is very high, it is much lower in vegetarians. According to a study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Diabetics, although the caloric intake in meat-eaters and vegetarians was similar, the rate of obesity was much higher in meat-eaters. In addition to this, meat-eaters had the highest intake of heart disease linked fatty acids and the lowers intake of beta carotene, magnesium, fiber, and plant proteins. What makes the vegetarian diet beneficial for weight loss is the fact that it is low in fat but rich in whole grains, fresh vegetables, and fruits.

2. You Will Reduce Inflammation in Your Body

Within few hours of consumption, meat, cheese, and processed foods can cause a spike of inflammation in the body. Namely, the arteries are paralyzed as a response to animal fat and their ability to open is reduced. The lungs also become inflamed. This results in continuous inflammation which can lead to diabetes, autoimmune disease, heart disease, and cancer. Plant-based diets are anti-inflammatory, due to the fact that they are based on antioxidants and plant fiber. On the other hand, they are lower in inflammation-causing compounds, such as endotoxins and saturated fat.

3. Your Cholesterol Levels will Drop

Poultry, cheese, red meat, and other animal products are high in saturated fat, which is the main culprit for high cholesterol levels. High cholesterol levels are highly dangerous as they are linked to an elevated risk of stroke and heart disease, both of which are classified among the top killers in the USA. It has been scientifically shown that vegetarians have a lower risk of dying of heart disease and that when people turn to plant-based diets experienced a drop in their cholesterol levels by 35 percent. Plant-based diets are abundant in fiber, which in turn reduces blood cholesterol levels.

4. Your Chance of Developing Type 2 Diabetes Will be Reduced

It has been scientifically shown that adopting a plant-based diet can prevent and treat diabetes. According to several studies, there is a strong link between a higher intake of animal protein and long-term risk of developing diabetes. Animal based iron, animal fat, and nitrate preservatives found in meat have been shown to damage pancreatic cells, cause weight loss, worsen inflammation, and increase the risk for type 2 diabetes.

5. You Can Better Avoid Toxic Food Contaminants

Animal products are packed with contaminants, including antibiotics, pesticides, herbicides, and hormones, all of which are linked to many health issues. A staggering percentage of all the flesh for cows, fish, pigs, chicken, and turkeys in the USA is contaminated with E. Coli, listeria, campylobacter and other dangerous bacteria. The consumption of contaminated meat is highly dangerous as it can cause food poisoning, accompanied with symptoms ranging from stomach cramps to organ failure and even death. Quitting meat can help save you from dangerous viruses, parasites, and bacteria, as long as you consume fresh organic produce.

6. You’ll Make an Impact on the Health of Our Planet

Last but not least, adopting a plant-based diet can positively affect the environment as well. Raising animals for food uses staggering 30 percent of the Earth`s land mass and 70 percent of the grain fed in U.S is given to animals, food which can be given to people. In addition to this, up to 80 percent of the deforested land in Amazon is currently being used as cattle posture. If we make a comparison between the resources used to produce one pound of animal protein and one pound of soy protein, it takes it takes about 12 times as much land, 13 times as much fossil fuel, and 15 times as much water! Therefore, by switching to a plant-based diet, you can save water and other natural resources as well as reduce the impact of rainforest destruction, pollution, and climate change.

Source: www.davidwolfe.com