Vegans can celebrate being excluded from this new warning about meat. According to a new study, meat is actually the enemy of health. Mic reports that Mayo Clinic researchers found that intake of red meat is linked to higher mortality rates. Researchers looked at six studies evaluating the effects of meat eating versus a vegetarian diet, concluding that doctors should tell their patients to skip the steak.
The bad news doesn’t stop there. The study found that the more red meat you eat, the higher your risk for cancer and cardiovascular disease. That salad is sounding better than ever.
We’ve heard this before though. Science recently told us that bacon is basically a murder weapon. So how can we cheat death? According to the Mayo Clinic findings, the answer is vegetables.
“This data reinforces what we have known for so long — your diet has great potential to harm or heal,” Brookshield Laurent, DO, assistant professor of family medicine and clinical sciences at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, said in a statement. “This clinical-based evidence can assist physicians in counseling patients about the important role diet plays, leading to improved preventive care, a key consideration in the osteopathic philosophy of medicine.”
This is one reason, Mic reports, veganism could be good for you. According to Mic, the researchers found that going vegan can "improve several parameters of health, including reversal of cardiovascular disease, decreased BMI, decreased risk of diabetes and decreased blood pressure in smaller studies.”
Before you swear off your grilled chicken though, there are a few things you should know. First is that portion definitely counts. Researchers found that low intake of unprocessed meats decreases your risk of death by meat. So, if you limit your consumption, you’ll be better off.
If you’re determined to drop all animal products, though, it’s important to know what you’re getting in to. Here are some tips for the transition. Also, know what foods contain so you’re sure to get all the necessary vitamins and nutrients. You might miss pepperoni pizza, but being vegan can be great for your health (and for your bragging rights).
Check this out:
Sex Ed 101: