Bookmark
Boosts cardio-vascular health
Yes, it's true. A vegetarian diet boosts cardio-vascular health. Dr Rahul Gupta, interventional cardiologist, explains, "Consumption of a vegetarian diet consisting of whole grains, legumes, vegetables, nuts, and fruits, and abstaining from meat and high-fat animal products, along with a regular exercise program, is consistently associated with lower blood cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, less obesity, lower incidence of diabetes and consequently less heart disease."
He says that fruits and vegetables, especially leafy greens and some legumes, are abundant in folic acid, which has been shown to help lower homocysteine levels (associated with heart disease). Many whole and unrefined plant foods are also important sources of minerals such as copper and magnesium, both of which can protect against cardiovascular disease. The many phytochemicals/flavonoids in fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains have properties that reduce the risk of heart disease. Various nuts are the source of heart healthy fatty acids (omega3, MUFA, PUFA). On the other hand, a non-vegetarian diet (mainly red meat) is associated with an adverse impact on cholesterol levels, and increases the incidence of heart disease.
Longevity
Dr Gupta says, "A vegetarian diet is associated with lower blood cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, less obesity, less heart disease, less stroke, less diabetes, less cancer, and hence vegetarians have a chance of living a longer life." Dr D'souza says, "Whether vegetarians live longer or not, I cannot say, and I do not have the relevant figures. But based on statistics, it certainly appears that a vegetarian diet is far healthier than a non-vegetarian one."