Whether you're looking for a healthier lifestyle or want to help protect the environment, see what happens when you decide to cut out meat.
You may be one of those who love meat a lot . Who feel they need it to be able to cope with a demanding everyday life . Who feel that without it they will not be able to get the necessary nutrients that their body needs.
As much as vegetarian and vegan diets have become a trend, as much as it has become much simpler to follow a vegetarian diet with the options in restaurants, ready meals and products constantly increasing, you may be one of those who still think about it. Below you will learn what will happen to the body, the organism and the environment if you decide to stop eating meat.
You may lose weight
Red meat is high in calories. 100 grams of beef has 230 calories, while a serving of beans has 100 calories. Although the difference may sound small, cumulatively and over time you may see a difference on the scale . A 2015 study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine reported that people who followed a vegetarian diet lost more weight than those who ate meat. And vegetarians lost more weight than people who still ate eggs and dairy.
Your body will have a balanced pH
Much of the food in the modern diet – including red meat – creates an acidic environment in the body. "Red meat produces a high acid load that the body is called upon to neutralize," explains Sally Warren, PhD, naturopath. "This acidic environment favors the appearance of diseases . Add to the mix stress and poor sleep quality, and you've lowered your resistance to diseases with a high mortality rate , such as cancer and diabetes," Warren concludes.
You won't feel bloated
Red meat is digested more slowly by the body, so those who eat meat may suffer from constipation, abdominal pain and gas after their meals. Once you cut out meat, for the first time you may feel indigestion, but this will be due to the consumption of healthier foods, rich in vegetable fibers. A 2015 study published in the journal Nutrition Research found that vegetarians had lower rates of inflammation than meat eaters.
Your skin will become more radiant
Getting glowing skin starts from within. A diet low in red meat and high in fruits and vegetables, which in turn are rich in vitamins such as A, C and E, fights free radicals that cause spots.
Your cholesterol levels will drop
Cutting out red meat also reduces the amount of saturated fat in the body, which has been linked to higher cholesterol levels. The American Heart Association recommends that each person should get no more than 5 to 6 percent of their daily calories from saturated fat. Maintaining this percentage reduces the risk of high cholesterol , which can lead to plaque build-up on artery walls. Although high cholesterol may be linked to your genes, cutting out red meat will go a long way in lowering cholesterol levels in your body.
You will reduce your risk of certain cancers
Stopping eating beef can ward off colon or bowel cancer, especially if it's hereditary. In 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) listed red meat among the foods that could potentially cause cancer.
"There have been reports linking a high intake of red meat to an increased risk of cancer , particularly colon cancer," says Adrienne Youdim, MD, director of the Weight Loss and Nutrition Center in Beverly Hills. A 2019 study in the International Journal of Epidemiology found that eating an average of 76 grams of red or processed meat per day was associated with a 20% higher chance of colon cancer compared to eating only about 21 grams per day.
You may be missing some nutrients
While it is possible to make up for lost protein from your diet, certain nutrients that come primarily from red meat, such as B vitamins and iron, may be lacking. Good alternative sources are shellfish, soy products, fish, cheese and eggs. Some experts still recommend consuming a supplement just to be safe. " Taking supplements , including a high-quality B12, can ensure you're getting the right daily dose," says Warren.
You will contribute to the protection of the environment
According to a report published by the Worldwatch Institute, more than 51% of global greenhouse gas emissions are caused by animal husbandry. If you choose alternative sources of protein, you will significantly reduce this damage.
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