Vegetarianism versus Non-vegetarianism

Whether it is a vegetarian or non vegetarian diet that is more suitable for human health and well being is perhaps one of the most debated topics. Research and scientific study have long ago nailed the myth that prevailed in the olden days hat non vegetarian food was more nutritive and strength giving. Research also proves that vegetarian food is superior in many ways besides being on par in terms of meeting nutritional needs.

Let us take a quick look at the benefits of a vegetarian diet

Vegetarian foods are easier to digest and ***imilate than meats; this is all the more relevant in view of the sedentary lives that most of us lead.

A balanced vegetarian diet comprising fruits, vegetables, nuts and dairy products meet all the nutritional needs that the body needs

Vegetarian food is much safer than meats, although fruits and vegetables do carry pesticide residues and the occasional worm, much of it is neutralized in cooking

Compared to this the relationship between infected meat and various types of dangerous diseases is far more pronounced. Salmonella, mad cow disease are scary examples of diseases that come from poultry products and beef. It is believed that 20 percent of cows are infected with BIV or bovine leukaemia virus which is the equivalent of the Aids virus in humans. This leads to various kinds of cancers in humans. The presence of tape worms in pork is commonly known; it does not die so easily and quite often enters the human body alive. Diseases like measles, Pertussis and Anthrax are all caused by meat eating.

Non vegetarians also accumulate animal fat in their arteries and veins; this is the reason for a much higher per cent of heart diseases among non vegetarians than vegetarians.

From the economic and environmental perspective, maintaining a huge live stock for their meat is a major depletion of the earth's resources. It takes 70 percent of the entire agricultural production of the US to support its meat industry. If this food crop is diverted for human consumption it could meet the needs of every famine affected country.
It requires 10 times as much of food grain to feed animals being reared for meat as it would take to feed the same number of people on a vegetarian diet.

Is this not enough reason for us to shun all kinds of meat and go totally green in our food habits ?

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