Is it true that a vegetarian diet is healthier?

We would like to share with you the results of a study reporting that people following a vegetarian diet have a higher risk of developing cancer, allergies and psychological problems are more common, and overall quality of life is lower.

Vegetarianism; means not consuming red meat, fish, poultry and, in some cases, eggs, milk and dairy products for various reasons. These people prefer to eat plant-based foods such as grains, vegetables and fruit. Religious and moral beliefs may influence their preference for such a dietary pattern, and the belief that eating this way is healthier may also be prevalent. Yes, it is true that a vegetarian diet has some benefits. For example, when animal-based foods are consumed in large amounts, the saturated fat and cholesterol they contain constitute risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, not consuming these foods as part of a vegetarian diet provides an advantage in this respect. In addition, some vitamins found in high amounts in vegetables and fruit are consumed abundantly with this dietary pattern, providing certain benefits. People following a vegetarian diet also have a lower risk of developing kidney stones and gallstones. In addition, this type of diet is rich in fiber. Eating foods high in fiber also provides benefits in terms of protection against diabetes and intestinal function.

However, in addition to all this, there are also many known harms of a vegetarian diet. For example, these individuals may develop serious problems such as bone problems due to inadequate intake of vitamin D and calcium; muscle and joint problems due to inadequate intake of protein and amino acids; circulatory problems such as anemia and serious, irreversible nervous system problems due to iron and B12 vitamin deficiency; and an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases due to elevated homocysteine levels. Of course, when a vegetarian diet is maintained under the supervision of a specialist, it is possible to prevent health problems that may arise. However, many vegetarians do not seek such support. Therefore, those who choose this dietary pattern believing that it is healthier would benefit from reconsidering.

Vegetarian diet’s benefits and harms; another important issue is whether these individuals have a lower or higher risk of developing cancer. Until a few years ago, the idea that vegetarians had a lower risk of developing cancer thanks to the high amounts of antioxidants they obtained from vegetables and fruit was regarded as almost certain. However, Nobel Prize-winning scientist James Watson’s statement that ‘Antioxidants do not prevent cancer; on the contrary, they trigger it’ and the data from his months-long study were capable of overturning all the established assumptions on this subject.

-Related topic: Antioxidants do not kill cancer; they trigger it

The findings obtained after this point also led to the idea that a vegetarian diet does not reduce the risk of cancer, but instead increases it. This was because the idea that a vegetarian diet reduces cancer risk was based on its being a dietary pattern rich in antioxidants. After this stage, research on cancer risk and other health factors in vegetarians accelerated.

In one of the studies published in the journal Plos One, 1320 people were grouped, followed and examined according to age, sex and socioeconomic status as those who consumed no meat (vegetarians), those who consumed little meat, and those whose diet was rich in meat. When the results were analyzed, it was determined that the risk of developing cancer and the risk of heart attack were approximately %50 higher in people following a vegetarian diet, and that allergies occurred 2 times more frequently. It was also observed that psychological problems such as anxiety and depression were more common in these individuals and that their overall quality of life was lower. However, an important point that should not be forgotten is that it is still too early to rely on the data obtained.

In conclusion: those who choose a vegetarian diet because they believe it is more beneficial for health, as well as those who recommend this dietary pattern, would benefit from researching the subject in depth and reassessing it. Yes, the saturated fat and cholesterol found in high amounts in meat have certain harmful effects. However, it is also a fact that animal-based foods have many benefits when they are not consumed excessively. In addition, it has not been definitively established that a vegetarian diet increases or decreases cancer risk. Nevertheless, it is clear that both animal-based and plant-based foods have many benefits. At this point, I believe that consuming them in a balanced manner without going to extremes is the best approach.

Related Topic

Cancer and nutrition