The benefits of a vegetarian diet. More and more health-conscious people are paying attention to this. On the recent International Vegetarian Day, many women actively responded to a vegetarian diet, which is not only good for the body but also has slimming and beautifying effects.
The benefits of a vegetarian diet
Benefit 1: A healthier heart
Fruits and vegetables are comprehensive sources of antioxidant nutrients that protect the heart and major arteries. Additionally, they contain no saturated fat or cholesterol. The cholesterol levels of vegetarians are 14 percentage points lower than those of meat-eaters. The American diet, which is high in fatty and cholesterol-laden meat and dairy products, leads to cardiovascular disease, the number one killer in the United States.
Benefit 2: Detoxify your body
95% of pesticide residues in our diet come from meat, fish, and dairy products (according to EPA estimates). In particular, fish contains carcinogens (PCBs, DDT) and heavy metals (mercury, arsenic, lead, cadmium), and these substances cannot be eliminated by cooking or freezing. Meat and dairy products also contain steroids and hormones.
The juices of fruits and vegetables contain natural phytochemicals that help us detox. Giving up meat helps eliminate toxins from the body that overload the internal organs and cause disease (environmental pollutants, pesticides, preservatives).
Stir-fried Wood Ear Mushrooms with Bok Choy
Benefit 3: A longer life
A seven-year study from Loma Linda University on vegetarians showed that they live about 15 years longer than meat-eaters. This research was further confirmed by the China Health Project, a large-scale study on diet and health, which found that Chinese people consume very little high-fat meat and dairy products, resulting in a lower risk of cancer, heart disease, and other diseases.
Research from the UK provides further proof, following 6,000 cases for 12 years, including 5,000 meat-eaters. The study found that during this period, vegetarians were 40% less likely to die from cancer and 20% less likely to die from other diseases.
Benefit 4: You'll look better and be more "in shape"
Generally, vegetarians are more "in shape" than meat-eaters. A vegetarian diet has significantly fewer calories than the standard American diet. Vegetarians are also less likely to develop weight-related organ disorders such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Benefit 5: You'll become more "balanced"
Vegetables are a primary source of fiber, which helps eliminate waste from the body. Meat contains no fiber. A study conducted at Harvard and Brigham Women's Hospital found that people who eat high-fiber foods have a 42% lower risk of developing diseases. People who maintain a rich vegetable diet often have lower rates of constipation, hemorrhoids, and spastic colon.
Benefit 6: You can save a lot of money
Replacing meat, chicken, and fish with vegetables and fruits can save an estimated $4,000 per year on your grocery bill.
Sesame Spinach