Do you really know "vegetarianism"?

Introduction: When it comes to vegetarianism, many people immediately think of the lifestyle of monks in temples. However, more and more people are now adopting a vegetarian diet. Some people do so for religious reasons, others for health, and some for both, killing two birds with one stone. In fact, the benefits of vegetarianism are numerous.

So, what are the specific benefits of a vegetarian diet?

1. Longevity: According to nutritionists, vegetarians tend to live longer than non-vegetarians. The Hunza people of northern Pakistan and the Indians of central Mexico are both primitive vegetarian peoples with exceptionally high average lifespans, which is truly admirable. Buddhist monks and Seventh-day Adventists also enjoy long lives due to their vegetarian diets.

2. Lower Cholesterol Levels: The cholesterol in the blood of vegetarians is always lower than that of meat-eaters. High blood cholesterol levels often lead to blocked blood vessels, which is a primary cause of high blood pressure, heart disease, and other ailments.

3. Reduced Risk of Cancer: Some studies indicate a close link between meat consumption and colon cancer.

4. Fewer Parasites: Tapeworms and several other parasites are transmitted to the human body through contaminated meat.

5. Reduced Burden on the Kidneys: Waste from higher animals and the human body is carried to the kidneys through the blood. When meat contains animal blood, it further加重 the burden on the kidneys.

Stir-fried Bitter Melon

These five vegetarian foods are equivalent to eating meat:

1. Oatmeal: Contains slightly less than 3% protein. It is also rich in trace elements like manganese and selenium and has the effect of lowering blood lipids.

2. Peas: Rich in dietary fiber, vitamin K, minerals, and vitamin C, with a protein content of 5%.

3. Peanut Butter: Contains resveratrol, the same compound found in wine, and monounsaturated fatty acids, which can prevent cardiovascular disease. Its protein content is about 28%.

4. Brown Rice: Does not raise blood sugar easily and contains minerals and fiber. Its protein content is 2.5%.

5. Coconut: Rich in protein and dietary fiber. However, the saturated fat content of coconut meat is also very high, so it should not be consumed frequently.

Seafood and Black Fungus Brown Rice Porridge

However, a purely vegetarian diet has four major drawbacks:

Trace Element Deficiency: Essential trace elements for the human body, such as zinc, calcium, and iron, mainly come from meat. Zinc is mainly sourced from animal foods, 80% of dietary calcium comes from dairy products, and 80% of iron comes from meat and eggs. Vegetarian diets are low in zinc, calcium, and iron, and the high oxalate content in them can hinder the absorption of these trace elements. Therefore, long-term vegetarians are prone to diseases caused by deficiencies in these elements.

Vitamin Deficiency: Long-term vegetarians are prone to diseases caused by vitamin deficiencies: A lack of vitamin A can easily lead to night blindness and respiratory infections; a lack of vitamin D can easily lead to rickets in children and osteoporosis; a lack of vitamin E can cause hemolytic anemia, seborrheic dermatitis, amino acid metabolism disorders, and a weakened immune system; a lack of vitamin K can easily lead to various spontaneous bleeding.

Inadequate Protein Intake: Long-term protein deficiency greatly affects the body's ability to fight disease, causing an imbalance in the body's proportions of carbohydrates, protein, and fat, leading to anemia, weight loss, indigestion, and memory decline.

Prone to Stones: The high fiber content in vegetarian diets can reduce the absorption rate of bile acids and lower bile salt concentration. Vegetarians often have inadequate intake of vitamins A and E. A deficiency of these two vitamins can cause the epithelial cells of the gallbladder to shed easily, leading to cholesterol deposition and stone formation.

Fish-flavored Tofu Boxes