People have been eating meat since the times ice age. It was then, according to anthropologists, that man moved away from a plant-based diet and began to eat meat. This “custom” has survived to this day - due to necessity (for example, among the Eskimos), habit or living conditions. But more often than not, the reason is simply misunderstanding. Over the past fifty years, renowned health experts, nutritionists and biochemists have discovered compelling evidence that you don't have to eat meat to stay healthy; on the contrary, a diet acceptable to carnivores can be harmful to humans.

Alas, vegetarianism, based only on philosophical principles, rarely becomes a way of life. In addition, it is important not only to adhere to a vegetarian diet, but also to understand the great benefits of vegetarianism for all humanity. Therefore, let's leave aside the spiritual aspect of vegetarianism for now - multi-volume works can be written about this. Let us dwell here on purely practical, so to speak, “secular” arguments in favor of vegetarianism.

Let's first discuss the so-called “myth of squirrels.” This is what we're talking about. One of the main reasons why most people shy away from vegetarianism is the fear of causing protein deficiency in the body. “How can you get all the quality proteins you need by eating only plant-based and dairy products?” - such people ask.

Before answering this question, it’s worth remembering what protein actually is. In 1838, the Dutch chemist Jan Muldscher obtained a substance containing nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and, in smaller quantities, other chemical elements. The scientist called this compound, which underlies all life on Earth, “primary.” Subsequently, the actual indispensability of protein was proven: for the survival of any organism, a certain amount of it must be consumed. As it turns out, the reason for this is amino acids, the “primary sources of life” from which proteins are formed.

There are 22 known amino acids, 8 of which are considered essential (they are not produced by the body and must be consumed with food). These 8 amino acids are: lecin, isolecin, valine, lysine, trypophan, threonine, methionine, phenylalanine. All of them should be included in appropriate proportions in a balanced nutritional diet. Until the mid-1950s, meat was seen as best source proteins: after all, it contains all 8 basic amino acids, and in just the right proportions. However, today nutrition experts have come to the conclusion that plant foods as a source of protein are not only not worse than meat, but even surpasses it. Plants also contain all 8 amino acids. Plants have the ability to synthesize amino acids from air, soil and water, but animals can only obtain proteins through plants: either by eating them or by eating animals that have eaten plants and absorbed all their nutrients. Therefore, a person has a choice: to obtain them directly through plants or in a roundabout way, at the cost of high economic and resource costs - from animal meat. Thus, meat does not contain any amino acids other than those that animals obtain from plants - and humans themselves can obtain them from plants.

Moreover, plant foods have another important advantage: along with amino acids, you receive the substances necessary for the most complete absorption of proteins: carbohydrates, vitamins, microelements, hormones, chlorophyll, etc. In 1954, a group of scientists at Harvard University conducted research and found: if a person simultaneously consumes vegetables, cereals, and dairy products, he more than covers his daily protein requirement. They concluded that it would be very difficult to maintain a varied vegetarian diet without exceeding this figure. Somewhat later, in 1972, Dr. F. Stear conducted his own studies of protein consumption by vegetarians. The results were amazing: most of the subjects received more than two norms of protein! This is how the “myth of squirrels” was debunked.

Now let’s turn to the next aspect of the problem we condemn, which can be defined as follows: meat-eating and hunger on the planet. Think about the following numbers: 1 thousand acres of land sown with soybeans provides 1,124 pounds of valuable protein, 1 thousand acres of rice - 938 pounds. For corn, that number is 1009. For wheat, it's 1043. Now think about this: 1,000 acres of beans—corn, rice, or wheat—used to feed a steer would provide only 125 pounds of protein! This leads us to a disappointing conclusion: paradoxically, hunger on our planet is associated with meat-eating. Experts in the field of nutrition, environmental studies, and politicians have repeatedly noted that if the United States transferred its stock of grains and soybeans used to feed livestock to the poor and starving of other countries, the problem of hunger would be solved. Harvard nutritionist Gene Mayer estimates that cutting meat production by just 10% would free up enough grain to feed 60 million people.

In terms of water, land and other resource consumption, meat is the most expensive product imaginable. Only about 10% of proteins and calories are contained in feed, which subsequently returns to us in the form of meat. In addition, hundreds of thousands of acres of arable land are planted to feed each year. In the meantime, we only get about 1 pound of protein per acre of feed used to fatten a steer. If the same area were planted with soybeans, the output would be 7 pounds of protein. In a word, raising livestock for slaughter is nothing more than wasting the resources of our planet.

In addition to the huge areas of arable land, livestock farming requires 8 times more water for its needs than vegetable growing, soybeans or grains: animals need drinking, and feed needs watering. In general, millions of people are still doomed to starvation, while a privileged few gorges on meat proteins, mercilessly exploiting land and water resources. But, ironically, it is meat that becomes the enemy of their bodies.

Modern medicine confirms: meat-eating is fraught with many dangers. Cancer and cardiovascular diseases are becoming epidemic in countries where per capita meat consumption is high, while in countries where per capita meat consumption is low, such diseases are extremely rare. Rollo Russell in his book “On the Causes of Cancer” writes: “I found that out of 25 countries whose inhabitants eat mainly meat, 19 have a very high incidence of cancer, and in only one country is it relatively low, at the same time Of the 35 countries whose residents eat little or no meat, there is not one in which the incidence of cancer is high.”

The Journal of the American Physician Association in 1961 stated, “Adoption of a vegetarian diet prevents the development of cardiovascular disease in 90 to 97 percent of cases.” When an animal is slaughtered, its waste products are no longer excreted through its circulatory system and remain “preserved” in the dead body. Meat eaters thus absorb toxic substances that, in a living animal, leave the body along with urine. Dr. Owen S. Parrett, in his work “Why I Don’t Eat Meat,” noted that when meat is cooked, harmful substances appear in the broth, causing it to become chemical composition almost identical to urine. In industrialized countries with an intensive type of agricultural development, meat is “enriched” with many harmful substances: DDT, arsenic /used as a growth stimulant/, sodium sulfate /used to give meat a “fresh”, blood-red hue/, DES, a synthetic hormone /known carcinogen/. In general, meat products contain many carcinogens and even metastasogens. For example, just 2 pounds of fried meat contains as much benzopyrene as is contained in 600 cigarettes! By reducing cholesterol intake, we simultaneously reduce the chances of fat accumulation, and therefore the risk of death from a heart attack or stroke.

For a vegetarian, such a phenomenon as atherosclerosis is a completely abstract concept. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, "Proteins from nuts, grains and even dairy products are considered relatively pure, in contrast to those found in beef - they contain about 68% contaminated liquid component." These “impurities” have a detrimental effect not only on the heart, but also on the body as a whole.

The human body is a most complex machine. And, as with any car, one fuel suits it better than another. Research shows that meat is an extremely inefficient gasoline for a given car, the use of which comes at a high price. For example, Eskimos, who mainly eat fish and meat, age very quickly. Their average life expectancy barely exceeds 30 years. The Kirghiz at one time also ate mainly meat and also lived longer than 40 years extremely rarely. On the other hand, there are tribes, such as the Hunza, who live in the Himalayas, or religious groups, such as the Seventh-day Adventists, whose average life expectancy ranges between 80 and 100 years! Scientists are convinced that vegetarianism is the reason for their excellent health. The Maya Indians from Yutacan and the Yemenite tribes of the Semitic group are also famous for their excellent health - again thanks to a vegetarian diet.

And in conclusion, I would like to emphasize one more thing. When eating meat, a person, as a rule, hides it under ketchups, sauces and gravies. He processes and modifies it with many different ways: fries, boils, stews, etc. What is all this for? Why not, like carnivores, eat meat raw? Many nutritionists, biologists and physiologists have convincingly demonstrated that humans are not carnivores by nature. That is why they so diligently modify food that is uncharacteristic for themselves.

Physiologically, humans are much closer to herbivores such as monkeys, elephants and cows than to carnivores such as dogs, tigers and leopards. Let's say predators never sweat; In them, heat exchange occurs through respiratory rate regulators and protruding tongue. Vegetarian animals have sweat glands for this purpose, through which various harmful substances leave the body. Predators have long and sharp teeth to hold and kill prey; Herbivores have short teeth and no claws. The saliva of predators does not contain amylase and is therefore incapable of preliminary breakdown of starches. The glands of carnivorous animals produce a large number of hydrochloric acid to digest bones. The jaws of predators have a limited degree of mobility, only up and down, while in herbivores they move in a horizontal plane to chew food. Predators lap up the liquid, just as a herbivore cat, for example, sucks it in through its teeth. There are many such illustrations, and each of them demonstrates human body corresponds to the vegetarian model. Purely physiologically, people are not adapted to a meat diet.

These are perhaps the most compelling arguments in favor of vegetarianism. Of course, everyone is free to decide for themselves which nutrition model to follow. But the choice made in favor of vegetarianism will undoubtedly be a very worthy choice!

Transformation at the physiological and mental levels makes the path of a vegetarian difficult. There are people who once decided not to eat meat and adhere to healthy principles throughout their lives, but in the overwhelming majority, the right to be healthy requires winning an internal war.

To overcome yourself every day, feed yourself with the right information - books, films, communication. It is enough to watch a documentary about meat production on a pig farm to take a step towards abandoning meat-eating.

From books and articles you will learn that vegetarians live longer, and the quality of such life is much higher - energy, youth, strength.

Vegetarians live longer

Why do vegetarians live so much longer than meat eaters? The latter's bodies are subject to an endless attack of saturated animal fats and cholesterol, and the poison from a piece of meat that quickly decomposes during slow digestion affects the body as a whole.

Violation of vital processes leads to diseases, and they lead to rapid aging and early death.

Long-lived vegetarians will never have problems with atherosclerosis, obesity, heart attack, and finally, premature aging.

In the book “Blue Zones”, traveler Dan Buettner talked about 4 corners of the planet where real centenarians settled - 110 years is the norm for them. Barbagia (Italy), Okinawa (Japan), Loma Linda (USA), Nicoya (Costa Rica). The unifying factor of geographical locations with a noble life expectancy is a vegetarian diet. This is not the only reason why vegetarians live longer there, but the quality of food cannot be ignored.

The most famous long-lived vegetarians manage not only to prolong their lives, but also to remain active:

• Mike Fremont (91 years old) can run a marathon in 3 hours.
• Jia Daozhang (100 years old) lives and lives in a cold cave without electricity.
• Fauja Singh (102 years old) completed the marathon at 100 years old.
• Swami Yogananda. At 101 years old, the yogi has not lost a single tooth and does not need glasses or hearing aids.

Vegetarian lifestyle

In addition to specific nutrition, natural changes occur in the life of vegetarians: nervous stability, harmony with the world and with oneself.

The ability to reach a state of peace is an art, and it is achieved by developing the right habits. The path of a vegetarian begins with conscious changes: a new diet, walking, a positive attitude.

Don't know where to start? Start with the main thing.

1. Rebuild your diet by replacing animal proteins with and. Avoid coffee and alcohol. Load up on fruits and natural juices.
2. Take care of the environmental cleanliness of the dishes, because they also affect the quality of food. Use instead of chemicals.
3. Stock up on equipment, for example, a blender,. Cooking will become a pleasant and easy task.

All this helps the health of a vegetarian and makes habits healthy. Make it a habit to change one habit at a time. This way you will avoid unnecessary stress and gradually reach your goal.

How do vegetarians live?

When trying to understand how a vegetarian lives, one must remember that a non-meat eating style is not a diet, but a personal religion. There are too many social obstacles on the path of a vegetarian, but they all need to be overcome.

Every day a person must remind himself that the pieces of meat on the shelves are once living beings, too similar to us evolutionarily to not notice it.

Change is always difficult. The confrontation between society and internal doubts is overwhelming. But a vegetarian must have answers to all the questions of meat eaters and conviction of the truth.

One common belief is that the effort is futile: animal killings and deforestation will continue whether we like it or not. But if you specifically stop, the system will weaken. Every year, humans consume meat from 90 animals. By giving up meat-eating, you save them. This is the path of a vegetarian - a firm determination to preserve the life of the planet, learning to be in harmony with it.

Simple arithmetic: than more people follow the path of vegetarians, the healthier the world as a whole will become.

Vegetarian stories

Alena never thought about vegetarianism or even healthy life. While preparing another dinner for the household, an experienced housewife was cutting up a chicken. Small pieces with skins were waiting to be fried in a large, oily frying pan. Unexpectedly, Alena discovered that her skin was no different from the skin on a cut and gutted chicken. The similarity was so strong - in color and texture - that it forever discouraged the woman from eating animal meat.

As you walk past the meat counters, pay attention to the tongues, ears, snouts, paws and hooves. If muscles with fat do not evoke emotions in you, then severed tongues of cows and heads of chickens will reproduce the impression.

Sergei took the path of vegetarianism after becoming interested in the Vedas. Learning a new worldview for himself, the guy discovered that it is easier to change nutrition in the context integrated approach. Those around them said that in the Vedas and Ayurveda they found answers for themselves that they could not get in other teachings. For Sergei, the transition to vegan nutrition was easy. He bought it with pleasure, experimented with dishes and found answers to well-known questions.

The transition to vegetarianism in the process of personal changes is more painless than if a person proceeds from a fleeting desire to lose weight or improve health. A deep understanding of the need to preserve life does not cause rejection when you learn to refuse to kill animals.

Vegetarian health

Even if a person wants to choose the path of a vegetarian, doubts and unanswered questions will not allow him to undergo transformation quickly. Most often, meat-eaters point to a lack of protein - without it, anemia develops and there will be no material for the construction of cells. But scientific facts show: protein is found in varying quantities in all foods except sugar and alcoholic beverages. This way you can debunk every last myth.

Diary of a Vegetarian

An easy way to experience a painless transformation is to write notes in your vegetarian journal. This is also where you pour out your experiences and describe in detail the answers you found to complex questions.

Scientists have repeatedly noted the benefits of notes - self-analysis helps to understand feelings, build a logical diagram and see yourself from the outside. By writing down painful things, a person gets rid of them.

The practical side of a diary is the ability to collect recipes and tips. At first it seems that the table is poor, and you can only eat roots and carrots. But such a meager supply of food is the result of old habits, since previously the diet consisted of single-piece vegetables and fruits. Taking away the meat, it seems to a person that now all he has left is parsley and apples.

By writing down recipes and searching for dishes, you can discover new world cooking - healthy and environmentally friendly.

Another useful function of a diary is to record plans. All change processes cannot happen overnight, but in order to remember what you planned, it is worth writing it down. So, you can plan a purchase for next month, and after 3 months -.

Vegetarian Studies

In order for more people to support the concept of a vegetarian lifestyle, research is conducted, facts about longevity are confirmed, and statistics on diseases are analyzed. All this helps strengthen the position of an environmentally friendly attitude towards the world and gives more strength to newcomers.

If you want to understand how you can become a vegetarian, go to India. 70% of the world's vegetarian population are Hindus. Many of them are vegans from birth and cannot imagine any other life.

Interesting fact: a man who gives up meat smells better and is more attractive to women.

Plant foods make a person balanced, which also affects spiritual development generally.

Research and analytics allow you to learn about other people's experiences, but they will never compare to what you personally experienced. Starting to adhere to a plant-based diet, in a week you will feel lightness, in two - triple energy, in a year you will forget about diseases, even chronic ones.

Physical cleansing will affect the mental one. You will strengthen your intuition, become more sensitive and receptive.

Vegetarianism has never been just about nutrition; it affects all levels of a person’s being, radically changing life itself.

There are more and more vegetarians

More and more people are thinking about making changes and thereby positively impacting the planet. The level of self-awareness of humanity as a whole is increasing, society is becoming infected with new ideas about environmental preservation. Trends towards change appeared a long time ago, but only now the vegetarian movement is gaining momentum enough to influence world life.

How did you become a vegetarian?

If you have your own experience about the difficulties you experienced in your journey as a vegetarian, share it with others. Even if you think it doesn't matter, you will influence others, help with ups and downs, support newcomers and answer questions for new vegetarians.

What can you do as one person? Much. And you need to use this. Join communities, maintain contacts with other vegetarians, take part in promotions. Your experience of personal development will allow others to gain strength, feel a sense of community and boldly begin to change.

Even if you decide to try new image life and vegetarian nutrition, but while the old paradigms of thinking consume you, do not despair and do not give up. Find answers, get support, and start over.

As you join the ranks of vegetarians, be prepared to answer questions. They will be asked not only by curious beginners, but also by critics who want to turn your value system into false beliefs.

The most difficult one is how to feed children if you do not use animal proteins in their menu. Contrary to popular belief, a person can get all the necessary microelements and vitamins from plant foods, but narrow-mindedness does not allow you to leave this topic and people deeply convinced of the benefits of meat will cling to any opportunity to undermine your authority.

Arm yourself with knowledge, show by your own example that you can not only improve your health, but also raise a strong baby.

Another controversial question is: will there be enough food for everyone? Again, outdated beliefs do not allow meat eaters to look at the situation from a different angle and make sure that there is not only enough food, but there will be plenty of it.

Interesting fact: 10 hectares of land will feed 2 meat eaters or 24 people on grain.

There are a lot of similar questions. Some of them will return an unprepared person to the path of a meat eater in a matter of seconds. Misconceptions have been absorbed into the consciousness of society for centuries, forcing everyone to believe that animal protein is needed for life.

Gradually, step by step, the planet will free itself from contradictions and sooner or later it will follow the path of creation. This is inevitable in conditions of increased awareness.

On our ability to live long life influenced by a combination of factors such as genes and environment. In studies that include identical twins, scientists estimate that no more than 30% of this influence comes from our genes. This means that the largest group of factors that determines how long a person lives is his environment.

Effect of food quantity

Of all the possible environmental factors, few have been as thoroughly studied and discussed as our diet. Calorie restriction, for example, is just one area that is under research. So far, experiments have shown that calorie restriction can increase lifespan, at least in small animals. But what works for mice won't necessarily work for people.

Diet features

What we eat (as opposed to how much we eat) is also a hot topic of study, and meat consumption often takes center stage. The study, which tracked nearly 100,000 Americans for five years, found that vegetarians were less likely to die from any cause over the study period than meat eaters. This effect was especially noticeable in men.

Some meta-analyses that re-analyzed data from multiple studies also found that low-meat diets are associated with longer lifespan. How longer person abstains from meat dishes, the more benefits he receives. However, not all researchers agree with this. Some results showed very little or even no difference in life expectancy between meat eaters and vegetarians.

Proof

However, there is evidence that a meat-free diet can reduce the risk of developing health problems such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and even cancer. There is some evidence to suggest that vegan diets may offer additional protection above a standard vegetarian diet. These findings are much easier to interpret when there is data on health problems rather than deaths from any cause.

So can we say with confidence that giving up meat will increase your life expectancy? The answer is simple: no.

Longevity problem

Compared to most other creatures, humans live for a very long time. This makes it difficult to conduct a study that could measure the effect of something on life expectancy (it would be difficult to find a scientist willing to wait 90 years to complete a study).
Instead, scientists either use existing medical records or recruit volunteers for studies that last a shorter period of time. They measure mortality rates and see which group, on average, is more likely to die first. Based on these data, assumptions were made about the impact of certain types of activities on life expectancy. The effects of giving up meat on her were also studied.

But this approach has problems. First, an association between two things like eating meat and early death does not necessarily mean that one was caused by the other. In other words, correlation is not the same as causation. Vegetarianism and longevity may seem to be linked, but another variable may also explain the link. For example, it is quite possible that vegetarians exercise more exercise, smoke less and drink less alcohol than meat eaters.

Research inaccuracy

Nutrition research also relies on volunteers to keep accurate and truthful records of food intake. But this cannot be taken for granted. Research has shown that people tend to underreport the number of calories they consume and overreport how much they eat. healthy food. Without actually monitoring the diets of the study groups and measuring how long they live, it is difficult to have absolute confidence in the results.

So should you give up meat to ensure a long and healthy life? healthy life? The key to healthy aging likely lies in controlling our environment, including what we eat. From the available evidence, it seems likely that avoiding meat in your diet can certainly increase your chances of avoiding the diseases that come with aging. But there is, of course, also evidence that this can only work in tandem with avoiding some of the larger risks, one of which is smoking.

Vegetarianism and veganism have many supporters and opponents. Scientists and nutritionists argue about the dangers and benefits of such a diet for the human body. There is an opinion that giving up meat can affect not only your health, but also your health. We will tell you about the research carried out and the conclusions of scientists.

Do vegetarians live shorter lives?

The typical image of a meat eater is a strong, well-built person, while the word conjures up associations with a thin and weak physique. Some associate the thinness of vegetarians with the fact that their body lacks animal protein - the main building material of cells - because it is in large quantities.

It can be assumed that meat eaters have more vitality and energy, therefore, they are able to live longer.

The largest study to date on the life expectancy of meat eaters and vegetarians was conducted by Loma Linda University in California. 70,000 people took part in it. According to the results, the life expectancy of vegetarians is 12% higher.

This means, according to the researchers, that you can live 8 years longer by eliminating meat from your diet. How can this fact be explained?

Meat is a risk factor

First on the list of negative aspects of meat is its cholesterol content. Red meat is higher in cholesterol, saturated fat, and a compound called carnitine, which disrupts... This increases the risk of plaque forming on the walls of blood vessels, leading to clogged arteries. And ultimately can lead to heart disease, kidney problems, and some types of cancer (for example, intestinal cancer, gallstones, urolithiasis).

Eating meat can also cause obesity. This does not mean that vegetarians do not suffer from obesity, but meat eaters are at a much higher risk of becoming obese. Obesity alone has been shown to reduce life expectancy by more than 6%.

People who eat meat are also 3 times more likely to suffer from it. Scientists have recently discovered that Alzheimer's disease can be prevented by using plant-based foods such as the spice saffron.

Is vegetarianism the path to longevity?

According to research, vegetarians weigh on average 13 kg less than meat eaters. This means that they are less susceptible to diseases associated with overweight. And because of this they can live longer. It also turned out that thin people care more about their health. They also avoid bad habits, which has a positive effect on their overall health. Thus, the mortality rate among vegetarians is an order of magnitude lower, since they are less prone to obesity and heart attacks.

Vegetarians are much less likely to get type 2 illnesses, since their bodies are more sensitive to insulin. Vegetables and fruits, which form the basis of vegetarianism, strengthen the immune system, and accordingly, the body more actively fights infections.

There is also evidence that vegetarians have a more optimistic outlook on the world. The suicide rate is lower among people who eliminate meat, fish and poultry from their diet.

Moderation and balance are the key to longevity!

Vegetarianism in itself is not synonymous healthy eating. If a person, having given up meat, consumes a large amount of junk food or “junk” food: fast food, processed foods, high-fat foods, he follows the path of destroying his health and cannot count on longevity.

When giving up meat, it is very important that an imbalance does not occur in the body. The same is true when eating meat - moderation will help avoid all problems. Therefore, watch what goes into your stomach and include enough fruits, vegetables, whole grains and dairy products in your diet.

Debates about the benefits and harms of vegetarianism have been going on for a long time, especially about veganism - a strict branch where dairy products, eggs, and in general all products of animal origin are prohibited. The other day, a website once again stated that giving up meat can seriously affect the body. Moreover, it is not always detrimental. British sociologists claim that over the past year, a third of residents of Foggy Albion have reduced their consumption of meat, and three percent have become vegetarians. Surely, a significant role in this was played by the statement of the World Health Organization that a love of red meat can cause the development of intestinal cancer.

Meanwhile, March 14 begins Lent, when believers give up animal products for 40 days. We are discussing with our regular expert, nutritionist Lyudmila Denisenko, how serious everything is.

1. Losing weight.

A report published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that people who gave up meat lost about 10 pounds in an average month without increasing their caloric intake and physical exercise. Neal Barnard, MD, study author and professor of medicine at George Washington University, says that this is due to a plant-based diet.

“I don’t agree,” says our expert. - As a rule, giving up meat, people begin to eat more cereals, bread, and pasta. And they don’t lose, but on the contrary, they gain weight. This is often discussed on forums, and believers most often do not lose weight during the period of fasting. In addition, during Lent we eat more vegetable oil. And, whatever one may say, it contains about 1000 calories per hundred grams. That is, you can gain weight rather than lose it on plant foods very easily.

2. The composition of the intestinal microflora changes.

Research conducted in 2014 shows that the gut flora of omnivores, vegetarians and vegans is very different. Moreover, vegans have more protective bacteria.

Indeed, “we are what we eat,” says Lyudmila Denisenko. - To a greater extent this applies specifically to microflora. When a vegetarian switches to only plant foods, saprophytic bacteria appear in the intestines, which process the fiber that comes with food and gives the body the same animal proteins. In fact, the intestinal microflora itself begins to compensate for the lack of protein. This is how Mother Nature insures her unreasonable children who refuse protein foods. And if a meat eater depends on the intake of protein along with food, then a vegetarian depends on the state of his own microflora in the intestines. And over time, the intestinal microflora of a vegetarian will indeed be rebuilt and become healthier. But at first, bloating and seething are possible, because the intestines and pancreas will begin to adapt to plant foods, and there will be a lack of enzymes. This restructuring may take even a year or two. In many ways, the time of adjustment depends on the previous diet: if a person, in principle, did not eat vegetables and porridge, but ate protein foods, it will take longer to adjust.

However, it is impossible to say that vegetarians are healthier or that they have a stronger immune system. On the contrary, vegetarian children get sick more often than those who receive adequate nutrition. It is not for nothing that children are allowed not to fast.

3. Nutrient deficiency.

If you refuse meat, indeed, a deficiency of certain substances may occur - in particular, iodine, iron, vitamin D and B12. But at the same time, the researchers say, if the food contains a sufficient amount of legumes - beans and lentils, as well as nuts, fruits, dark green vegetables, whole grains and cereals, then the balance will be replenished.

Even with strict veganism, proteins and all nutrients can easily be obtained from legumes, grains, mushrooms and vegetables. And if vegetarians continue to eat fish, eggs and milk, they will fully compensate for the refusal of meat, says the nutritionist. “And even the deficiency of vitamin B12, which has always frightened vegans, can be overcome: over time, their intestinal flora begins to synthesize it in sufficient quantities. In addition, you can compensate for its deficiency with vitamins and supplements, including yeast.

4. The risk of developing cancer is reduced.

The World Health Organization recently added bacon, salami and other smoked foods to its list of potentially carcinogenic substances linked to bowel cancer. According to experts, if a person eats two pieces of bacon every day, the risk of developing bowel cancer increases by 18 percent. Red meat is also "likely" to potentially contribute to cancer, according to WHO.

Indeed, it is difficult to argue with this - vegetarians are much less likely to experience cancer of the rectum and intestines in general, says Lyudmila Denisenko. - And this is understandable: plant foods contain indigestible fiber, which serves as a preventive measure for intestinal cancer. However, this does not apply to other types of cancer. Researchers have long found that eating plant-based foods does not reduce the risk of developing cancer overall. And there is no difference in mortality between vegetarians and omnivores. Moreover, those who do not eat meat are much more likely to develop stomach cancer due to gastritis. Yes, vegetarians are more likely to experience gastritis when they eat plant foods that do not contain buffer proteins that neutralize the effects of acids on the mucous membrane.

5. The risk of developing cardiovascular diseases is reduced.

Scientists have long linked a love of red meat and the development of cardiovascular disease. Recently, American scientists found that carnitine from meat triggers chemical reactions in the intestines that negatively affect the heart muscle.

Until recently, it was animal products, and primarily fatty meat, that were blamed for atherosclerosis, the formation of cholesterol plaques, which often led to strokes and heart attacks. But this theory is now being revised, and many researchers believe that atherosclerosis should be blamed more on refined foods, sugar and even vegetable oils, says Lyudmila Denisenko. - In addition, the protein that we get from meat is very important for building cells, including the heart. And a complete refusal of protein foods can lead to depletion of the heart muscle, like all other muscles of the body.

INSTEAD OF OUTPUT

In general, as elsewhere, balance is important. Distortions in nutrition will one way or another affect the body.

By the way, there is a belief that if you are a vegetarian, then it is better not to eat meat for the rest of your life, otherwise your body will “break down,” says the nutritionist. - It is nonsense. An adherent of separate meals, Shelton was a vegan for many years, and at about 70 he decided that he wanted meat... And after that he lived happily for another twenty years. And besides, remember that the Orthodox have 250 fasting days a year, and not one has yet died from switching to meat after fasting.

BY THE WAY

Do vegetarians live longer?

Another controversial claim is that vegetarians and vegans live much longer than meat eaters. However, gerontologists do not confirm this fact. If we talk about the number of centenarians per capita, then, for example, in the Vilcabamba Valley in southern Ecuador, one of the oases of longevity, people mainly eat vegetables and fruits. The Japanese prefer rice and seafood. Long-lived Abkhazians are meat. Hungarian elders are vegetarians. Azerbaijani centenarians are meat eaters, and they prefer fatter ones. The long-livers of the northern tundra actually live on reindeer fat.

So, most likely, the large number of long-livers among vegetarians is explained by something else: among them, smoking and alcoholism are unfashionable, they are strict about health, they love sports and distribute their energy correctly.