1st October every year is celebrated as World Vegetarian Day and the day also marks the beginning of World Vegetarian Awareness Month. The main aim of the day and month is to inspire people to choose vegetarianism, to make them aware of its benefits and also to save the animals.
World Vegetarian Day was first started on 1 October 1977 by the UK Vegan Society. This day is celebrated annually by the North American Vegetarian Society in partnership with the International Vegetarian Federation.
A team of researchers from Loma Linda University in the US proved in their research that, on average, vegetarians live more than 10 years compared to non-vegetarians. Earlier it was believed that more amount of nutrition is found in non-vegetarian food as compared to vegetarian food, but at present, all the doctors, experts and nutritionists agree to the fact that vegetarian food is better for health in every aspect.
Why A Vegetarian Diet?
According to research by George Washington University School of Medicine, vegetarian diets are very nutritious and easy to digest. The amount of fatty acids in it is very less, which controls blood sugar, thereby reducing the risk of diabetes.
Dr. Sangeeta Malu, an Indore-based nutritionist also confirms that a vegetarian diet is better in every way as compared to a non-vegetarian diet. It is good for our digestive system as it is light and easily digestible. If we consume fruits, vegetables and dairy products like milk, curd and cheese, etc. in the required quantity every day, then we do not need any kind of nutrition supplement. Alongside, this type of diet also helps in keeping our body hydrated.
Some More Benefits Of A Vegetarian Diet
- A vegetarian diet provides adequate amounts of fiber needed for digestion, which, apart from improving the body's metabolism, helps in the quick elimination of toxins.
- Water is naturally present in vegetarian diets, due to which the body remains hydrated.
- The amount of sodium and fatty acids in a vegetarian diet is low. Apart from this, less oil is also used in cooking it, due to which the blood pressure can be controlled.
- Almost all nutrients, including vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, are found in abundance in a vegetarian diet, which helps in the elimination of the toxins.
- According to research from the Federal University of Pernambuco, people who consume a vegetarian diet saw improvement in skin diseases such as psoriasis.
- According to the Croatian Institute of Medical Research and Occupational Health, vegetarians have lower levels of neuroticism, which keeps mood swings in control.
- Many studies have proved that cholesterol level in a vegetarian diet is much lower than in a non-vegetarian diet, due to which the problem of cholesterol is seen less in vegetarians.
- Non-vegetarian diet is known to be a source of saturated fatty acids, the excess of which often leads to blockage in the arteries and increases the risk of heart disease. At the same time, the amount of unhealthy fats in a vegetarian diet is relatively low, which reduces the risk of heart diseases.
Therefore, for a healthier and better future, switch to vegetarianism today!
Also Read: Plant-Based Foods May Cut Risk Of COVID Infection, Severity: Study
