Vegetarianism is gradually becoming a global trend. As it becomes a dietary choice for those focused on health, research on vegetarianism has become increasingly abundant. These results show that as long as nutritional balance is maintained, a vegetarian diet not only does not affect health, but can also prevent many fatal diseases.
What are the benefits of a vegetarian diet for the human body?
First, a vegetarian diet can prevent cancer.
The U.S. National Cancer Institute points out: consuming large amounts of fresh vegetables and fruits can significantly reduce the risk of liver cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, bladder cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, and other cancers. People who consume large amounts of fruits and vegetables have a 50% lower chance of getting cancer than those who rarely consume them. Domestic research has reached the same conclusion: starting from 1984, relevant experts investigated the relationship between Chinese people's living habits and the occurrence of cancer. They found that people who ate vegetables more than 14 times a week had a 75% lower incidence of lung cancer, a 60% lower incidence of liver cancer, and a 40% lower incidence of colon and rectal cancer compared to those who ate vegetables less than twice a week.
Second, a vegetarian diet is good for the heart.
Eating large amounts of vegetables and fruits can reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Harvard University scientists have found that women who eat one more carrot or half a tomato daily can reduce their risk of heart disease by 22% and their risk of stroke by 70%. After a heart attack, fruits and vegetables are also a good remedy. Dr. Dean Ornish, a White House health advisor, conducted a long-term study on heart disease and found that for heart patients to successfully recover, they must completely change their diet—that is, stop eating meat and switch to a vegetarian diet! He himself is also a vegetarian.
Third, a vegetarian diet can boost immunity.
The best-selling British book "Health 100%" states that to boost immunity, experts' first recommendation is to eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily. A vegetarian diet has an immune advantage. The German Cancer Research Center found that the white blood cells of male vegetarians are twice as effective at fighting tumor cells as those of male meat-eaters! This means that vegetarians only need half the white blood cells of meat-eaters to have the same immune function.