subject: Why a Vegetarian Diet May Enhance Your Health [print this page] Why a Vegetarian Diet May Enhance Your Health
You may have heard that a vegetarian diet is healthier, but you don't know why. There are actually quite a few reasons why the vegetarian diet is considered by many to be healthier. Here are some ways in which a vegetarian diet may enhance your health.
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Cardiovascular Health
Research has indicated that a diet high in saturated fat, which is found most often in animal products, can adversely affect cardiovascular health. Saturated fat intake has been implicated in cardiovascular disorders such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and clogged arteries.
A vegetarian diet includes much less saturated fat and no animal fat, making the case that the vegetarian diet is the healthier one. The risks of cardiovascular disease may be reduced even further if the vegetarian diet does not include fatty dairy products like full-fat cheese.
Reduced Risk of Cancer
Vegetarians are considered to be at a lower risk for developing cancer, particularly cancers of the digestive organs. Breast cancer risk may be reduced when animal products, some of which contain synthetic hormones, are no longer ingested.
More Fiber
Vegetables, whole grains and fruits have more fiber tha
n meat, and as you turn to a vegetarian diet you will begin to consume more of these fiber-rich foods. The purported health benefits of fiber are numerous, such as lower cholesterol and better digestion. Even colon cancer risk is said to be reduced with a high intake of fiber.
Obesity
Obesity and its associated health problems tend to be much less of a problem among vegetarians. Of course, you can become overweight if you overeat any food (sugar and vegetable oil are vegetarian, after all!), but vegetarians as a general rule tend to be leaner.
Diabetes
Even diabetes may be curbed with a vegetarian diet. This may be because many foods prevalent in vegetarian diets - beans, onions, garlic - are reported to have a regulatory effect on blood sugar. It is also probably due in part to the lower rate of obesity among vegetarians.
More of the Good Stuff
As you turn away from meat and maybe other animal-based foods, you will have the opportunity to fill the gap with healthy, nutritious foods that you might not have eaten otherwise. For example, the health benefits of nuts have been discussed lately; would you have tried a nut loaf for dinner if you were still stuck in the meatloaf tradition? Vegetarianism opens the door to including more healthful and varied foods in the diet.
