Scientific support of the vegetarian diet

In the following guide we will analyze the main scientific foundations that revolve around the vegetarian diet, we will review some of the most prominent studies carried out in this regard, as well as the dietary-nutritional foundations on which this style of eating is based.

Many of the diets that have become popular over time suffer from little or no recognition by the international scientific community, in the case of the vegetarian diet if we have several studies that highlight interesting aspects that have served as motivation for many people when choosing whether to assume this type of diet or not.

Reduced risk of cancer: Studies carried out by the University of Oxford highlighted the vegetarian diet and its healthy properties with respect to the development of cancerous diseases. With a sample of almost half a million people, it was shown that the consumption of meat favors the appearance of some cancer-related diseases, while vegetarianism would be reducing by almost 15% the chances of suffering from these diseases.

Position of the American Dietetic Association: The American Dietetic Association openly supports the consumption of the vegetarian diet for its healthy properties in combating the increase of cholesterol, controlling blood pressure, hypertension and combating diabetes.

They emphasize that the vegetarian diet can be high in nutrients and recommended for people of any age, stating the benefits of moving away from meat intake.

Reduction of coronary heart disease: Studies published by the "British Medical Journal" highlighted the results shown by the vegetarian diet regarding the reduction of coronary heart disease. It is worth mentioning that coronary heart disease is characterized by directly affecting the heart, being the most widespread heart disease in the United States. Arteriosclerosis and angina pectoris are among the best known.

The study referred to above showed that those who consumed a strictly vegetarian diet were less likely to suffer from these diseases.

Some criticisms regarding the vegetarian diet: The study published by the "British Medical Journal" was intended to provide evidence to demonstrate the positive aspects related to the intake of vegetables, however it was a surprise for the researchers to find that while coronary heart disease decreased, cerebrovascular disease increased. This is a somewhat alarming aspect, because what seemed to be a positive achievement in health, now was reversed significantly, so that those involved in this study ended up highlighting that in health aspects everything seemed to indicate that a balanced diet was the best option.

The World Health Organization, by its acronym WHO, has also pronounced itself on the vegetarian diet. Studies conducted by the WHO and its expert committees point to strong criticism of the vegetarian diet. They allege that to live ignoring foods of animal origin is a serious mistake in nutrition, since the human organism needs nutrients from animal meat.

In any case, they advise against sustaining this diet as a way of eating and advocate maintaining a balanced food intake.

The UN, on the other hand, has reports that demonstrate the benefits that would be brought to humanity if we were to adopt a vegetarian diet on a massive scale. These benefits are associated with the solution of food shortages worldwide, since vegetarianism is easier to sustain and would be an easy answer to the lack of foods such as meat, which today are assumed necessary for the human organism. The truth is that although the UN is right in what it says, these arguments are not weighty when talking about nutrition and health, so that solving food shortages in this way does not guarantee that this diet is healthy or recommended as a healthy eating style.