There are different variations of the vegetarian lifestyle. There are those vegetarians that don't eat meat, but still may consume some animal products such as dairy products or eggs. Vegans are those that don't consume anything that was produced by an animal including honey. There are some definite health benefits to adopting a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle.
1) Lower cholesterol levels. By not consuming much or any animal products this lowers blood cholesterol significantly. Cholesterol comes from two major sources, foods of animal origin such as meat, milk and eggs and the rest is produced in your body, mostly by your liver. So cutting out the animal sources is a great start to having a low cholesterol reading.
2) Eliminates toxins from the body. Fruits and vegetables do not contain the preservatives found in today's packaged and processed foods. Many vegetarians consume organic foods which are grown without pesticides and other chemicals. A build up of toxins places a huge toll on the colon as well as increases the risk of allergies, depression, skin problems and even the common cold and flu.
3) Lower blood pressure due to the higher amounts of potassium in fruits and vegetables. Some potassium rich foods are: cantaloupe, bananas, oranges, apricots, avocado, strawberries, potatoes, tomatoes, cucumber, cabbage, cauliflower, swiss chard, bell pepper, eggplant, squash, crimini mushrooms, brussel sprouts, turmeric, parsley, spinach, broccoli, papaya, lima beans, plantains, jerusalem artichokes, oat bran, cucumber, pears and mangoes.
4) Lowers the risk of heart attack and stroke, migraines and certain types of cancers such as colon and prostrate cancer.
By living a vegetarian lifestyle a person's overall health will be improved. A diet rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals reduce the risk of cancer. Lower saturated fats fight obesity and related diseases. The high fiber found in fruits and vegetables keep the colon moving at a proper pace reducing the risk for colon and prostrate cancers. There are many great books and cookbooks available to help with starting a new vegetarian lifestyle.
Rayna Hahn lives a healthy vegetarian lifestyle and loves to share it with others on her blog [foods-for-healthy-living.blogspot.com]
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