It is known that China has a famous "Ten Elders' Song of Longevity," which contains the line: "To be content with a simple diet of coarse grains and vegetables." This means living a tranquil and frugal life, content with plain food and clothing; and this kind of life is indeed beneficial to the health of the elderly.
Some people now believe that a vegetarian-based diet is one of the secrets to a long human life. What is a "vegetarian diet"? Some understand it as a diet that completely excludes animal-based foods, similar to the vegetarianism practiced by Buddhists, who do not eat meat or fish. When we today advocate that middle-aged and elderly people eat more vegetarian food, we do not mean that they should completely abstain from meat and fish. Rather, from a nutritional perspective, and on the premise of maintaining a balanced diet, we encourage them to eat more plant-based foods. This is because the bodies of middle-aged and elderly people have gradually moved from the peak of life towards aging. Their material metabolism is far less vigorous than that of young people, their energy consumption is relatively reduced, and their muscle strength and the secretory function of their digestive glands gradually decline, making it easy for metabolic byproducts to accumulate. At this point, if too many animal-based foods are consumed, it can lead to an increase in saturated fatty acids, cholesterol, and other harmful substances in the body, which can cause diseases such as myocardial infarction, stroke, and colorectal cancer. Therefore, it is recommended that the elderly eat more vegetarian food. According to statistics from the World Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases are still the most common cause of death among the elderly today. Therefore, a vegetarian-rich diet for middle-aged and elderly people is beneficial for preventing coronary heart disease and high blood pressure. At the same time, it can also help prevent diseases such as diabetes and colorectal cancer.
This is because coarse grains and bean products contain large amounts of protein and carbohydrates, which are not only the main source of energy but also the source of dietary fiber. Dietary fiber is very important in preventing the aforementioned diseases. Vegetables and fruits are also staple foods for vegetarians. They are rich in vitamin C and vitamin B2, which can promote the absorption of oxygen by cells, facilitate cell repair, and enhance the body's resistance to disease and its anti-cancer effects. In addition, vegetables also contain elements such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, and magnesium, which play an important role in protecting the cardiovascular system and preventing the occurrence of arteriosclerosis.