A vegetarian diet can have a lot of nutritional benefits, if it is rich in fruits and vegetables, and contains moderate amounts of seeds, nuts, whole grains and legumes. There are several significant benefits of vegetarian food in naturopathy. Protein in green vegetables is as high in quality as milk protein and thus makes a very valuable contribution to the vegetarian`s protein nutrition. The high quality of protein balances the lower quality of other vegetarian proteins such as nuts and beans. A healthy and wholesome vegetarian diet can, as a result, easily meet the body`s protein needs.
Here are some significant benefits of vegetarian foods:
1. Low Blood Pressure: In the latest study, researchers found that not only do vegetarians have lower blood pressure on average, but that vegetarian diets could be used to lower blood pressure among people who need an intervention.
2. Lower Risk of Death: A study found that vegetarians had a 12 % lower risk of death compared with non-vegetarians. With none of the saturated fat and cholesterol that clogs arteries, vegetarians may be at a lower risk for chronic diseases overall.
3. Better Moods: A recent study has found that the people on the vegetarian diet reported more mood improvements than those on the other non-vegetarian diets.
4. Less Chance of Heart Disease: Another study reported that vegetarians were 32 % less likely to develop heart disease.
5. Lower Risk of Cancer: Researchers studied different versions of the vegetarian diet and cancer risk among people at a low risk for cancer overall and discovered that a vegetarian diet may have protective benefits. Colon cancer is rampant in people who consume fewer amounts of legumes and fibre. Because vegetarian diet is rich in fibre and legumes, the risk of colon cancer is less among vegetarians compared to non-vegetarians. Not just colon cancer, vegetarians get natural protection against prostate, stomach, breast and lung cancer.
6. Lower Risk of Diabetes: Studies have shown that vegetarians are at a lower risk for developing diabetes. While the diet won"t cure the disease, it can lower an individual"s risk by helping them maintain weight and improve blood sugar control.
7. Less likely to be Overweight: Research shows that vegetarians tend to be leaner than their meat-eating counterparts and also tend to have lower cholesterol and body mass index (BMI). Some data suggests that a vegetarian diet can help with weight loss and be better for maintaining a healthy weight over time.
8. Lowers Cholesterol Levels: A body produces cholesterol in some amounts and with daily intake of chicken or red meat your blood cholesterol levels will increase to level that it starts depositing on the walls of the blood vessels, giving rise to atherosclerosis. The fact that plant sources do not contain cholesterol is enough to highlight the advantage of eating a vegetarian diet for maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.
9. Reduces Risk of Hypertension: Both vegetarians and non-vegetarians have equal chances of suffering from hypertension. But, vegetarians naturally enjoy a low sodium and low fat diet making them less likely to suffer from hypertension.
10. Reduces the Risk of Kidney Stones and Gall Stones: Non-vegetarian diet is undoubtedly rich in protein. But sometimes this excess amount of protein can cause the body to excrete more amounts of calcium, oxalate and uric acid. These substances form the main component of kidney stones and gall stones. Vegetarian diets have been shown to reduce one"s chances of forming kidney stones and gallstones.
A perfectly constituted diet is one in which the principal ingredients are milk, milk products, any whole cereal grain or mixture of cereal grains, green leafy vegetables and fruits. These are the protective foods. They make well the defects of other constituents of the diet, guard the body against infection and disease of various kinds, and their use in adequate quantity ensures physical efficiency. Vegetarianism is thus a system based on scientific principles and has proved adequate for the best nutrition free from the poisons and bacteria of diseased animals. It is the best diet for man`s best possible, physical, mental and spiritual development.