On the other hand, some research suggests that the fats and proteins from animal sources may promote the growth of other less healthy gut bacteria that negatively influence metabolism and play a role in heart disease Overall, eating a diet that includes a lot of plant foods and limits meat may nourish health-promoting bacteria. However, the gut microbiome is complicated.
More research on this topic is needed to fully understand the role of animal protein in gut health Dietary fiber and beneficial plant compounds are two components found in plant foods that may nourish healthy gut bacteria. Plant-based diets that limit meat tend to provide lots of these nutrients. Eating a lot of red and processed meats, such as bacon , hot dogs, and other smoked or cured meats, has been associated with a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer 16 , Poultry and fish have not been connected with increased colorectal cancer risk Red and processed meat intake has also been associated with an increased risk of other cancers, including breast cancer How these foods affect cancer development is unclear.
However, some researchers have suggested that saturated fat and carcinogenic compounds produced during meat processing and high temperature cooking play a role Plant foods, on the other hand, appear to have a protective effect against colorectal and other cancers A study including more than 77, adults found that vegetarian diets, including those that included fish and some meat, were linked to a lower incidence of colorectal cancer, compared with nonvegetarian diets Animal proteins, especially red and processed meats, have been linked to an increased risk of colorectal and other cancers.
Plant-based diets that limit these meats or exclude meat entirely are associated with a lower incidence of colorectal cancer. In addition to providing health benefits, eating more plants and less meat may be good for the environment. Meat production typically requires more resources, leads to more greenhouse gas emissions, and contributes to deforestation and pollution to a larger extent than producing fruits, vegetables, and other minimally processed plant foods 20 , However, gradually cutting back on meat and adopting more of a flexitarian style of eating that includes some meat may still make a difference.
Meat production leads to greenhouse gas emissions and may have negative environmental effects. So, swapping plant foods for some or all of your meat intake may have beneficial effects on the environment. Flexitarian diets involve reducing the intake of animal products but not eliminating them. Furthermore, poultry and fish are usually not associated with the negative health effects linked to red and processed meats, although research is mixed 24 , Here are some of the most important reasons to stop eating meat.
Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest food news delivered straight to your inbox. The meat industry is now widely recognized as the number one contributor to global warming, and also the leading cause of deforestation and air and water pollution.
Cows, for example, produce greenhouse gases at alarming rates, outranking most countries in total amount of emissions. A study from found that if every American swapped out all the beef they consume for beans, that alone would get the United States halfway to meeting the Paris climate agreement goals in which we have since pulled out of.
There is really no way to wage a successful battle against global warming while we're still farming animals for meat on a large scale. If you're wondering how you can contribute to protecting our planet from utter destruction, eating a plant-based diet is the best way to make a difference fast.
Thinking of going vegan for the cause? Here's a simple beginner's guide to help you make a decision that's right for you. As much as we'd like to believe that humane practices are part of the meat industry, there is really no such thing as avoiding torture and suffering when animals are treated as a commodity instead of living beings.
In the vast majority of cases, animals raised for slaughter live in deplorable conditions, often riddled with diseases and with very restricted movement in their cages. Adopting a "flexitarian" diet would also allow us to move away from factory farming with its low animal welfare standards, says Peter Stevenson, chief policy adviser to the charity Compassion in World Farming. Image source, Getty Images. How much meat do we eat?
What impact does meat have on emissions. How do you measure emissions from meat? So, what can you do? What about other foods? What is the wider impact of what we eat? Related Topics. Whole grains make up the rest. The term "flexitarian" has been coined to describe someone who eats mostly plant-based foods, but occasionally eats meat, poultry and fish.
That kind of healthy eating is central to the Mediterranean diet — which limits red meat and emphasizes fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains and healthy fats — and has been shown to reduce your risk of heart disease and other chronic conditions.
Why not work on your flexibility and start reaping some healthy benefits? There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health. Error Email field is required. Error Include a valid email address.
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