In real life, some people are meat-lovers and crave it at every meal, while others are averse to meat, refusing it and sticking to a vegetarian diet. Recent research has found that these extreme dietary principles are detrimental to health and can lead to various diseases.
Excessive meat consumption can lead to illness
Arthritis Scientists, through a survey of the eating habits of 25,000 people, found that meat-eaters have twice the risk of arthritis compared to vegetarians. The collagen in red meat can trigger an "attack" response from the immune system. Additionally, the high iron content in meat tends to accumulate in the joints, causing tissue damage.
Gallstones Studies have found that meat-eaters have an 18% higher risk of developing gallstones than vegetarians. Vegetarians consume more unsaturated fats, which, without their knowledge, improves insulin sensitivity and prevents stone formation.
Alzheimer's Disease Alzheimer's disease is associated with the deposition of beta-amyloid protein in the brain. Scientific research has found that elderly people with mild memory problems who reduce their meat intake and eat more vegetables, fruits, and grains can reduce their chances of developing dementia by 48%.
Osteoporosis According to research from the UK's National Osteoporosis Society, the animal protein in red meat is not good for bone health. The acidic residue left from digesting meat requires alkaline substances like calcium to neutralize it, which will inevitably lead to calcium deficiency in the bones. Green vegetables like cabbage and kale have high calcium content and are beneficial for preventing osteoporosis.
Abstaining from meat (vegetarianism) can lead to illness
Infertility About 1/6 of infertile couples can be attributed to their vegetarian habits. A study from the University of London found that vegetarians, in order to get enough protein, tend to eat large amounts of bean products. However, certain flavonoids in soy can prevent sperm from swimming to the egg, causing infertility.
Dental problems The eggplant, onions, peppers, and zucchini that vegetarians like to eat contain acidic substances that corrode teeth. Dental experts have found that after high-temperature cooking, these acidic substances become more concentrated and more harmful to the teeth.
Depression Vitamin B12 is only found in meat, dairy products, and processed grains, making vegetarians most susceptible to deficiency. Bridget Benelam of the British Nutrition Foundation says: "Insufficient intake of vitamin B12 can lead to mild neurological problems, such as mood swings and depression. At the same time, a person may feel extremely fatigued."
Muscle atrophy One of the potential side effects of a protein-deficient diet is muscle atrophy. Protein is extremely important for maintaining muscle health. British nutritionist Louise Sutton says: "Vegetarians with insufficient protein intake are very prone to muscle loss."
About 2 liang (100g) of meat per day is appropriate
The Chinese Nutrition Society has a scientific and reasonable standard for the dietary intake of nutrients for the population: adults should consume 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. With an average adult body weight of 60 kilograms, they should consume about 70 grams of protein daily. The protein content in meat is around 17% on average. For a person's daily protein intake, meat should account for about 25%, which translates to about 100 grams of meat. The remaining protein can be supplied from other foods.
For children in their growth and development stages and manual laborers, the amount of meat should be increased. For example, ages 4-6: 100g, 7-10: 110-120g, 11-13: 130g; 14-18: 140-150g; over 18: same as adults; young adults with light physical labor: 140-150g; heavy physical laborers: can be increased to 180-190g. The elderly should reduce their intake, keeping it between 90-100g. The above figures are for reference. Some people rarely eat meat, while some herders rely mainly on meat, and these cases should be treated as exceptions.