With the world facing more environmental problems every year, there have been a number of studies released that show one of the best ways we can combat climate change is by cutting down or completely eliminating meat from our diets.
And we’re starting to see it more and more as people all over the world turn to vegetarianism and veganism every year.
While the debate is still on as to whether a plant-based diet is healthier than a meat-based diet, there is no denying that there are plenty of advantages to consuming plants along with few animal products.
For those that still wish to consume meat but retain many of these benefits, a pescatarian diet may be more inviting.
1. Mood Improvement
Arachidonic acid is a substance that is derived almost exclusively from animal products, especially meat and dairy, and is almost completely absent in a vegetarian diet.
Research has shown a link between arachidonic acid and mood disturbances, meaning that cutting down on meat and other animal products can drastically improve your mood.
They also found that vegetarians tend to suffer from fewer mental health problems, having lower levels of neuroticism.
Improved moods can have a drastic effect on our overall lives, from our attention at work to even the pastimes we enjoy, such as reading, painting, or betting on NRL premiership odds.
2. Reduces Diabetes
Diabetes is a diseases that is sweeping the world, and is almost always caused by an excess of sugar in the body, and not enough fibre to help process all that extra sugar.
The increased sugar also means the body is producing higher levels of insulin, which can eventually cause the body’s insulin-producing systems to shut down.
Research has shown that vegetarians, in general, have reduced chances of developing diabetes by around one half, and that it can help manage diabetes more efficiently for those that already have it.
3. Reduces Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
A study done by the JCU University of Skin Cancer Research Clinic, there is a link between lowered risk of cardiovascular disease and vegetarianism.
This is because most vegetarian diets are rich in antioxidants, which are the molecules necessary t reduce damage caused by oxidative stress.
4. Lowered Risk of Stroke and Obesity
While this isn’t always the case, researchers have found that people who subsist on a vegetarian or vegan diet are often much more aware of the food they eat.
They tend to select it based on its health benefits, and prefer to eat food in better portion sizes, and this has lead to a lower prevalence of obesity, which also means a reduced chance of having a stroke, as well as lower cholesterol.
5. Lower Chance of Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are one of the most painful conditions in the world, and it’s caused by the consumption of animal protein, which results in a higher urine PH.
A lower urine PH is directly associated with the development of kidney stones. This also applies to diary, where the increased consumption of calcium from milk and other products can contribute to the growth of kidney stones.