There are many reasons that people stop eating meat. Some people change their diets because of the welfare of the animals. Some people stop eating meat because of the destruction of land resulting from livestock. Other people may stop for health reasons. Now, more than ever before, people are choosing plant-based diets over meaty-heavy ones.
Advantages of Not Eating Meat
There are many advantages to going vegetarian or vegan. For instance, many people have noted major changes to their body since they stopped eating meat. For example, eating a plant-based diet lowers your chances of developing heart diseases. Let’s take a look at some of the major advantages of going vegan and how it affects your body.
Healthier Gut Microbiomes
The microbiome, which consists of trillions of microbial species that live in our bodies, is vital to our general health and wellness. They not only help the body digest food, but they also deliver essential nutrients, train the immune system, switch genes on and off, promote gut tissue health, and prevent cancer. Plant meals have been shown to improve intestinal microbiome health, and fiber is extremely useful for promoting the development of good gut bacteria. Yet, this is not always possible with low-fiber diets, which promote the growth of harmful bacteria.
Lowers Risk of Heart Disease
One of the most extensively studied aspects of plant-based diets is their impact on heart health. Controversial research has discovered links between the consumption of saturated fat, which is predominantly found in meat, and a higher probability of developing heart disease. However, there is still a lot of discord concerning this possible link. Even so, limiting your consumption of animal sources high in saturated fat could be best. Additionally, the biggest decreases in heart disease risk have been reported when sources of polyunsaturated fat, such as flax, fish, and walnuts replace saturated fat sources.
It Lowers Your Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes
Did you know that 38% of Americans have pre-diabetes, which is a precursor to type 2 diabetes? A recent study discovered that animal protein, particularly that derived from red and processed meats, contributes to an increased chance of developing this condition. Meat has been linked with this illness because it contains animal-based iron, animal fat, and nitrate preservatives, which have been found to damage the functioning of pancreas cells, lead to weight gain, hinder insulin-related actions, and raise inflammation. In contrast, a plant-based diet has the potential to improve and even reverse diabetes.
Balances Cholesterol Levels
Elevated cholesterol levels increase your risk of having strokes and developing cardiovascular diseases. Due to the saturated fat content, a diet high in chicken, cheese, meat, and other animal products might raise your cholesterol levels. However, research has shown that eating a plant-based diet reduces cholesterol levels by an incredible 35%! Because of their low saturated fat content and lack of cholesterol, whole foods can help to manage your cholesterol levels.
DNA Repair
Many antioxidants and other beneficial nutrients found in whole plant meals have been proven to influence gene expression, improving how cells repair damaged DNA. Furthermore, beneficial lifestyle changes, such as a plant-based diet, have been shown to reduce the development of cancer genes in males suffering from prostate cancer.
The Right Type and Quantity of Protein
Despite popular belief, consuming a lot of protein won’t make you sleeker or stronger. The excess quantity is either stored as fat or turned into a waste product. Furthermore, animal protein contributes to weight gain, heart disease, cancer, inflammation, and diabetes. Protein from plant-based foods protects you from chronic illnesses, and you don’t need to keep a check on your protein intake. Just meet your daily calorie requirements, and you will get enough protein.
Less Inflammation
Non-vegans tend to experience higher levels of inflammation. While inflammation in small amounts is a normal process, particularly after an injury, persistent inflammation is not. It can cause strokes, atherosclerosis, heart attacks, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases. This is where plant-based diets can help because they are anti-inflammatory and high in fiber, antioxidants, and phytonutrients.
Should You Stop Eating Meat?
Perhaps you find the idea of cutting meat completely out of your diet a bit daunting. Well, luckily, you don’t have to completely cut it out of your diet to experience benefits. Even cutting down your intake of meat will improve your health in many ways. Additionally, meat such as fish and poultry are not linked to the same health issues as red meat and processed meats. It’s also important to keep in mind that many of a plant-based diet’s advantages are linked to what is included in the meal, not what is left out. It’s all about balance at the end of the day. While limiting your meat consumption will help, including healthy and nutritious meals is what really makes the difference.