Vegetarians live longer. Saturated fat causes heart disease. Your brain needs carbs to function…. Yeah, right! These are but some of the myths most of us live by, yet they couldn’t be further from the truth. Keep reading and learn about the actual science behind vegetarianism.
Vyara
Five reasons why vegetarianism may be neither healthy nor ethical
#1. Vegetarians may eat too much sugar, i.e. poison
What do vegetarians eat? Potatoes, rice, bread, fruit and vegetables are all staple vegetarian foods, but unfortunately these are all carbs, i.e. pure sugar. And sugar is highly inflammatory; it suppresses your immune system and leads to auto-immune conditions, insulin resistance, diabetes and heart disease, and brain deterioration. Interestingly enough, high fructose consumption is the number one cause for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease as well as arterial plaque. Moreover, sugar and grains are highly addictive and act in the body the exact same way as cocaine does. Now, just think about how much sugar one could consume daily on a vegetarian diet, considering that 150g of rice equals 10 teaspoons of sugar! Doesn’t sound too healthy, does it?
#2. Vegetarians may eat too much seed oils, i.e. poison
Butter and lard are way better than any seed oil. Seed oils are unstable; they oxidize quickly, especially when heated up, and create toxicity in the body. Thus, one study found that roasting almonds, peanuts, pistachios, and sesame seeds increased both primary and secondary lipid peroxidation products, and it even formed between 0.6-0.9 grams of trans-fatty acids per 100 grams of nut. Butter (especially clarified butter), lard and coconut oil, on the other hand, are associated with gut health, brain health and more efficient fat burning. Note that there is no scientific proof that saturated fats lead to heart disease. In fact, the evidence goes the opposite way: numerous studies are showing that high consumption of saturated fats (in the absence of sugar!) is protective for the heart. High consumption of seed oils, on the other hand, has been shown to cause migraines, IBS, allergies and cancer, to name a few. So eating a piece of fatty beef turns out to be a healthier option compared to a bag of roasted nuts.
#3. Vegetarians may be nutrient-deficient and malnourished
Plant-based protein (with the exception of soy and quinoa), is incomplete. Hence quite a few vegetarians (and especially vegans) are malnourished. Vegetarians are also at a higher risk of iron and B12 deficiency, decreased immune system function, and decreased nervous system function. Importantly, processed vegetarian protein options such as tofu cause more greenhouse gas pollution than farming meat. Not to mention the fact that soy is highly inflammatory and leads to major hormonal imbalances.
#4. Vegetarians are killing plants
Some vegetarians mistakenly elevate the value of animal life over plant life. However, research shows that plants respond electrochemically to threats and actually feel fear and stress. So vegetarians are affecting plants the way meat eaters affect animals. In both cases, we have an act of killing in order to survive. And that’s a natural part of the cycle of life. Every organism on Earth (animal or plant) dies or is killed at some point so other organisms can live. That’s just how nature works. Killing a plant certainly doesn’t represent a kinder act than killing an animal, they are both the same and they are neither cruel nor unethical.
#5. Vegetarians cause the death of animals too
According to a 2003 study by Steven Davis at Oregon State University, about six animals per acre, or 52-77% of the animals (such as birds, mice, and rabbits) that live in agricultural crop fields, are killed during harvest.
