It is something of an interesting phenomena that many people in the modern day presume that vegetarianism, or even veganism, are modern.
Historically speaking, the earliest reliable evidence for vegetarian theory and practice starts in the 6th century BCE in Greece. The Orphics, a religious movement at that time, were noted to practice not eating or consuming the flesh of animals for religious reasons.
Of course, if you fast forward to 2024, there is a wealth of evidence that suggests there may be other reasons to become vegetarian, as well as an entire plethora of potential health benefits. It is no longer solely associated with the hippie movement of the 1960s and there are many people now converting to this type of diet, especially as more meat free alternatives and dairy free alternatives become available. Technically, the latter is veganism, but no matter!
In this article, you will be walked through 18 of the best reasons to become a vegetarian in 2024 so you can ascertain if this is the right move for you.
Better Heart Health
According to the Cleveland Clinic, vegetarian diets are often significantly lower in saturated fats and the bad kind of cholesterol, which reduces the risk of heart disease.
It has been noted that individuals who tend to suffer from heart disease later in life often had a diet that was high in red meats and saturated fats, which are more commonly found in meats such as pork. So, you can rest assured if you switched to a meat free diet, your heart will likely thank you in the long run.
Lowered Risk of Cancer
Next on the list is another health-based reason, and it is not an insignificant one! Many studies have shown that individuals who follow a vegetarian diet are likely to have a lower risk of certain types of cancer, which include but are not limited to colon and breast cancer. This is likely due to a higher intake of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and again, is likely related to the lack of bad cholesterol saturated fats, which can come with consuming meat.
Better Weight Management
You may be noticing a pattern by now. Individuals who consume higher levels of meat, in particular red meat, may. Have a higher incidence of obesity. This is likely due to the additional fat in their diet. However, vegetarian diets.Be more successful in helping individuals to maintain a healthy weight, usually due to the lower calorie density in the foods as well as the higher fiber content.
Improved Digestion
It is somewhat easy to giggle about the idea of somebody having constipation, but if it is left for long enough, it can become a serious issue, resulting in an inflamed bowel as well as piles. One core benefit of having a vegetarian diet is that having a higher intake of plant based foods such as vegetables and fruits improves digestion significantly and will therefore prevent constipation and the secondary feature of hemorrhoids. So, that’s a very good thing!
Lowered Blood Pressure
High blood pressure has been linked to increasing the chance of a person having a stroke, as well as a heart attack. One of the key features of eating a high meat diet is high blood pressure, as well as having high bad cholesterol levels. Therefore, vegetarians are often the group who have the lowest blood pressure because they eat plants, fruits, and nuts.
Reduction in the Chance of Developing Diabetes
Another thing that individuals who are considering adopting a vegetarian diet need to consider is that a diet which is strongly based around plants is more likely to help better regulate blood sugar levels. This will, therefore, reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Longer Lifespan
Research which was conducted by the Food Navigator suggests that vegetarians often live longer lives due to the dietary choices that they make and the health benefits that come along with consuming a diet full of fruits, plants and nuts. Of course, it should be noted that this research does not seem to take into account the role of genetics or other lifestyle choices which could lead to this outcome. However, the link is very interesting.
Environmental Benefits
This is a point that vegetarians and vegans have been pointing out for many years. By consuming a diet that is solely based around plants, rather than cattle and other meats which require a lot of land (and produce a lot of CO2), an individual can reduce their carbon footprint, which will inevitably lead to a lower environmental impact as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions, water usage and will help to prevent deforestation. So, that’s something you can feel good about. If you want to switch to a vegetarian diet.
Using Fewer Resources
Any farmer will tell you that it costs a lot to raise livestock that will be slaughtered for meat. Plant based diets use fewer natural resources such as land, water and of course the food that comes with trying to rear cows, pigs, chickens and sheep. This thereby has a positive impact on the environment and preserves resources.
Animal Welfare
Another point that many vegetarians and vegans will point out is that by choosing a diet which cuts meat out of the equation, you are helping to reduce the animal welfare issues that can come with factory farming. These are usually overcrowding, poor hygiene and health issues. So, if you feel strongly about animal rights, it may be time to switch to a vegetarian diet.
Lowered Risk of Developing Food Poisoning
There are many kinds of food poisoning which develop due to exposure to pathogens commonly found in meat, such as listeria, e coli and salmonella. If you adopt a vegetarian lifestyle, you can reduce the chances of developing food poisoning, which is a big plus. Who exactly doesn’t want to minimize the likelihood of getting food poisoning from an undercooked piece of chicken?
There are, of course, some cases where vegetables that have been unwashed or haven’t been cooked can cause food poisoning, but this is relatively rare.
Clearer Skin
Something to consider if you are very proud of your appearance is the impact that a vegetarian diet can have on your skin. Consuming higher levels of fruits, vegetables and nuts will undoubtedly lead to you having an abundance of both vitamins and antioxidants in your body, which will lead to clearer skin health. Indeed, research conducted by Very Well Health found that those who engaged in plant based diets usually had clearer skin, as well as a lowered chance of developing skin conditions such as eczema and acne.
More Energy
It is true that eating something like a pork chop or beef wellington will likely hit the spot for many people. However, it should be considered that it takes a lot of energy to digest meat, especially if you’re eating it every day. So, many people who consume meat often report fatigue after eating meals. Vegetarians, on the other hand, often report the opposite. They have increased energy levels as well as less fatigue overall. This could be due to the higher rates of water they consume by eating plants but, it is also likely to be due to digestion and the lack of bloating too!
Lowered Risk of Kidney Stones and Gallstones
Consuming animal based protein has been linked to a higher incidence of both kidney stones and gallstones. As well as this, it is also the case that if you consume lower levels of animal protein, you are more likely to have alkaline urine, which will also reduce the risk of urinary tract infections long-term.
Better Dental Health
Yes, if you eat raw fruit, nuts and veg more often, you will likely have better dental health too. This is due to the fact that these foods are often hard, and require more vigorous chewing, which removes plaque. This lowers the incidence of both gum disease and dental decay.
Improved Mental Health
There is an inevitable increase in the number of antioxidants and anti-inflammatories that comes with eating a vegetarian diet. In the long term, both of these (as well as the higher levels of fiber) have been found to lead to lowered levels of anxiety, depression and improved mental health overall.
Diverse Cuisines
One thing that cannot be taken away from vegetarianism is its representation across different cuisines. There is no steak and veg in this lifestyle, but an array of Moroccan, African, Asian and European dishes to try, which are delicious and you may have never found if you stuck to an omnivore diet. So, try them all out and see which one you like!
Support For Organic Farming
Going back to farming for a minute, many people who follow this lifestyle often eat more locally-sourced produce, as well as organic vegetables. This helps to sustain local farms, as well as supporting local economies. So, that’s another thing to take pride in!
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