The debate about the health harms of vegetarianism continues unabated. Some say that giving up meat helped them cure illnesses, lose weight and get their skin in order. Others scream that the vegetarian diet has caused their hair to fall out and their teeth to crumble. Where's the truth?
What is vegetarianism like?
First, we need to get a handle on who can be called a vegetarian. These are people who have given up food of animal origin, but depending on the type of diet may have eggs or milk in their diet. They should not be confused with vegans (who do not eat any animal foods at all, including dairy products and eggs), as well as with raw eaters (who eat only fruits, vegetables, herbs and nuts without heat treatment). There is another popular trend - pescetarianism, whose adherents do not eat meat, but include fish in their diet. By the way, according to studies, pescetarianism is the most correct type of diet, which can reduce the risk of cancer.
About the benefits of vegetarianism
Among the fans of this food system are many celebrities - not only actors and musicians, but also athletes! For example, actor and basketball player John Salley gave up meat long ago, as well as track and field star Edwin Moses and famous boxer Mike Tyson. Mike became a vegetarian in 2010, after which he lost 45 pounds and said he felt much better. These eye-opening examples refute the assumption that you can't be energetic and exercise without animal protein.
So, what are the benefits of avoiding animal products:
- Weight loss.
- Self-consciousness, listening to your body.
- Improved skin condition.
- Lightness in the body.
- A sense of accomplishment to the planet.
Some have also noted that a special diet has helped them get rid of serious diseases. However, there is no scientific evidence on this point yet. Perhaps vegetarianism really is a kind of detox for the body. In addition, controlling your own diet leads to a more conscious lifestyle in general: sports, early risings, walks and other bonuses will quickly pick up on vegetarianism
What are the harms of vegetarianism
Perhaps even more has been written about this than the benefits. There are certainly downsides to this dietary system.
First of all, you have to do a lot more cooking. When you eat meat, all you have to do is make a chicken breast with a side dish and you're done for dinner. But you won't be satisfied with just one side dish, so vegetarians have to get creative on a regular basis. This can be a particular problem when traveling: you can not always quickly find delicious food that does not contain animal products.
Secondly, many physicians talk about the direct harm of vegetarianism to the body. Many adherents of this system experience iron deficiency, which leads to low blood hemoglobin levels, hair loss, rapid fatigue and other problems.
Third, in addition to iron deficiency, most vegetarians suffer from deficiencies of zinc, vitamin D and B12, which is bad for the nervous and hematopoietic systems.
The harm of vegetarianism to women
You can often find arguments about the harm of vegetarianism for women, especially during pregnancy. Some ignorant people are afraid that a vegetarian in principle can not give birth to a healthy child, which, of course, is not true. There are many girls who were not only vegetarian from birth, but were able to give birth to healthy children themselves. It is only important to monitor your diet to make sure it was balanced, and if necessary, take additional vitamins and minerals.
Is it worth switching to such a diet? It's up to you to decide. At least you can try it - it allows you to listen to your body and understand what you really need.
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