subject: Choosing A Vegetarian Diet Is Having A Healthy Lifestyle [print this page] The benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle are well documented and may include many positives not found in carnivorous diets.
Vegetarians eat a lot of vegetables which are naturally low in calories. Since they ingest limited calories, vegetarians are less likely to be obese or have such problems as high blood pressure, diabetes, colon cancer or arthritis. They are less susceptible to heart disease, as well.
Some believe that vegetarians may have lower blood pressure than carnivores, even if they eat the same amount of salt and exercise less. Studies appear to indicate that vegetarians experience less instances of colon cancer due to differences in the bacteria found in the colon.
A vegetarian diet contributes to overall good health for many reasons. Vegetarians eat a lot of vegetables, which are low in calories. They also consume a great deal more fiber than carnivores. A high fiber diet has been shown to reduce cholesterol, blood glucose levels and protects against colon cancer.
Vegetarians often consume a large quantity of antioxidants found in plants. Antioxidants have been shown to protect cells from damage and reduce the risk for heart disease, arthritis, cancer and other illnesses.
A vegetarian diet is also thought to have more isoflavones than a carnivorous diet. Isoflavones are a type of phytochemical found in soy foods. It is believed that isoflavones may reduce the risk of prostate cancer and improve bone density.
One of the main reasons people adopt a vegetarian diet is to reduce their cholesterol. Vegetarians often consume less saturated fat than meat eaters, which aids in preventing heart disease, diabetes and cancer. The absence of meat in a vegetarian diet means, they do not consume heme iron, which is found in meat and thought to increase susceptibility to heart disease and cancer.
In addition to health benefits vegetarians also feel a unity with the environment and animals. Many vegetarians believe their diet also improves their peace of mind.
