True Health Benefits

[ronin81]

Being new to vegetarianism, I was wondering if there was any literature on the "true" health benefits of a vegetarian diet. By "true", I mean that we know that - all else being equal - it has advantages vs. a meat diet in decreased risk of cancer, diabetes, etc. etc. etc... But if the opposite argument was, 'Well fine, but you can eat meat all you want and as long as you do 'X' (for ex, say drink plum juice), the risk / reward equals out', what health benefits would the vegetarian be able to counter with (aside from the obvious, 'Well at least I don't have to do 'X'" )

Basically, aside from ethical / spiritual (?) reasons, what kinds of health benefits are solely found in a vegetarian/vegan diet.

[Fromper]

I don't have specific literature to recommend, but I do know there are a few things that have a lower risk for vegetarians than meat eaters - high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, some types of cancer, etc.

That said, I'm sure that someone with a very healthy diet that includes a little meat probably is just as healthy a diet as an average vegetarian. The problem has more to do with bad dietary habits, including very excessive amounts of meat, in modern society. A small amount of meat every once in a while isn't going to kill anyone, as long as you're careful to cook it properly to avoid mad cow, salmonella, etc.

I'm sure some people here will tell you that you MUST give up meat to be healthy, but really, it's all statistics. A vegetarian diet is more likely to be healthy than a meat eating diet, but there are always exceptions. It's just easier to be healthy when you avoid things that you know are less healthy, like meat, and load up on a variety of healthy things like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

--Fromper
:juggle:

[penny79]

I think people who identify as "vegetarian" could have any number of poor to healthy diets.

[Earthling]

The China Study is the definitive text for the health benefits of being veggie :)

[Ms.Windy]

The China Study is the definitive text for the health benefits of being veggie :)

Yep...its a must read!

[mgm84]

As well as anything by John Robbins!

[Ms.Windy]

Or Don Tollman.

[Kyo]

what kinds of health benefits are solely found in a vegetarian/vegan diet.

Maybe none. I think you need to look at the entire diet and not just rather it's veg*n or not. You can have vegetarians that live on cheese or vegans/vegetarians that live on candy. And you can have omnivores that have an ideal balanced diet and consume large amounts of phytochemicals and fiber and eat only 5 g of meat/day.

[ravencon]

What may be statistically true for a large group of people might not have much relation to what your outcome will be.

I regard the health claims of proponents of any and all diets with plenty of skepticism.

[silva]

I would credit health as my prime motivator for turning to veg. The fact that I was inner trauma by my hypocrisy in eating animals was the real reason, but wanting to lose weight and drop cholestrol levels gave me the kick in the pants.
I did lose weight and dropped cholestrol 39 points. But the amazing thing was how good I feel. I feel light, energized. I used to eat dinner and just wanted to sit and watch t.v. Now I feel like I eat because I need to, and I have control. I never feel bloated, I'm totally regular, and I get energy from food--not lethargy.

The environmental effects still rule in favor of a vegetarian planet.