In a post-Covid-19 world, people have become more focused on their health than ever before. Many have begun to pay attention to particular lifestyle or nutrition choices that may harm their long-term health or growth and eliminate them. Perhaps, red meat is one of those things that you are looking to eliminate from your diet, but maybe you are unsure if it will benefit you. If answers are what you are looking for, we have all the answers you need.
This post looks to make you more aware of the many positive impacts that not eating red meat can have, not just on you but also on the world around you. It is never too late to make a conscious change. Today, we give you the tools to be able to make that change.
Inflammation will decrease
Eating red meat is said to be one of the leading causes of inflammation in the body. This is because it is full of fats or saturated fats. This means that conditions like diabetes, heart problems and autoimmune diseases are far more likely to occur. A study by the Journal of Nutrition found that vegetarians have significantly lower levels of inflammation in their bodies on average. This is because the foods they eat in place of meat or specifically red meat are high in antioxidative properties.
But for the sake of some little mouthful of flesh, we deprive a soul of the sun and light and of that proportion of life and time it had been born into the world to enjoy.
Plutarch
Thus evidencing a direct and measurable correlation between not eating red meat and a lower risk of inflammation. Ultimately leading to more health problems in the future.
You can reduce your risk of getting certain types of cancer
Alarmingly, a massive pool of academic research correlates high red meat consumption with an increased risk of cancer. In late 2015, the World Health Organisation would go as far as to classify red meat as a class 2 carcinogen, meaning that it has a possibility of causing cancer. This is particularly true of processed meats, which were classified as a class 1 carcinogen, meaning that they are seen to be a confirmed cause of certain cancers, or at least help them develop.
This is the case because the tastes or compositions of the meats have been enhanced by companies to ensure that they maintain a longer shelf life.
Also Read: This is Why You Should Go for Meatless Meals.
An example of this processing is the use of nitrates on foods like hot dogs or tinned meat, which is thought to increase the risk of cancer even further. Choosing a different source of meat like chicken has been considered to reduce the risk of developing these cancers significantly, and through not eating meat at all, you eliminate all possible threats.
You will protect your heart
We are not talking about heartbreak here. Your heart is one of the most vital organs in your body, so keeping it healthy will significantly increase your life expectancy and overall health. Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, and although that is scary, there is a reason behind it.
Red meat is high in saturated fats, so consumption will likely be a major factor in blood cholesterol rising. Higher levels of cholesterol cause a build-up of plaque near the heart and thus, lead to an increased risk of heart disease or heart attack. Studies have correlated the consumption of red meat with the production of trimethylamine-N-oxide, which is said to speed up the hardening of arteries and thus, lead to heart problems. The European Heart Journal took the most prominent recent study that backs this point up. They have stated those who eat more red meat vs poultry or vegetables and nuts had three times as much TMAO in their systems.
You will do your part in helping the environment
It is not just your body that will thank you if you decide to cut back on red meat; the planet will thank you as well. Animal agriculture causes more than half of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. With many crops throughout poorer countries being used to feed and prime animals for slaughter, the people who may need those crops grow hungrier. Furthermore, crops and roots only require 5% of the water content that animals do to grow, which means that you can feel comfortable choosing not to eat red meat that you are not placing a strain on water resources or hunger in poorer nations.
This is not to mention the conditions that the animals are kept in before they are slaughtered. Animal welfare needs to be at the forefront of our thoughts when we are deciding to give up red meat or not. Considering all the above factors will improve your welfare in the future and the welfare of animals and the planet. It may only be a small step, but even the tiniest steps, when combined, can make a massive difference
