Health Benefits of A Vegetarian Diet
While many people lament the nutritional disadvantages of a poorly planned vegetarian diet, few stress the
health advantages of adopting a vegetarian or vegan diet. In this article, We will cover the major three
nutritional advantages of becoming a vegetarian.
The first major benefit of a vegetarian diet is a increased healthy heart. Vegetarians, on
average, consume more nuts as a supplemental form of protein.
Nuts contain "good" fats, such as omega-3 and omega-6. This promotes good heart health by reducing "bad"
cholesterol and unclogging arteries.
In addition to nuts, vegetarians also consume more soy milk - often to replace milk, which reduces "bad"
cholesterol and has been linked to good heart health.
The second major benefit vegetarians enjoy is increased skin health. In addition to consuming
larger quantities of nuts (which contain healthful oils), vegetarians tend to consume more fruit and vegetables,
which are rich in essential vitamins, including A and E, which are linked to good skin health.
Fruits and vegetables also contain high amounts of fiber, which helps flush toxins out of the body, further
contributing to better skin health.
The last health benefit vegetarians enjoy is an increased natural consumption of
antioxidants.
Antioxidants are foods that help prevent cancer by destroying free radicals. Vitamin C and Vitamin E, two strong
antioxidants, are commonly found in vegetarian meals.
Vitamin C can be found in berries, tomatoes, citrus fruit, kale, kiwis, asparagus and peppers.
Vitamin E can be found in the following:wheat germ, seed oils, walnuts, almonds, and brown rice, all foods that
are commonly a part of a well-balanced vegetarian diet.
What does this all mean for you as a prospective vegetarian?
It means the popular mythology about vegetarian diets is false. Not only can a vegetarian diet be nutritionally
sufficient, but it can also affect better skin health, prevent cancer, and increase the health of your
heart.
|