Charity recommends vegetarian diet for good health
The Vegetarian & Vegan Foundation (VVF) is about to celebrate its sixth anniversary and has marked the occasion by highlighting the health benefits of the lifestyle choice.
According to experts, eating a vegetarian diet can bring a range of benefits, including a lower risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
Senior nutritionist Amanda Woodvine suggested that vegetarians can expect to live up to six years longer than meat-eaters and said: "There is now plenty of evidence to show that a typical western diet of meat, dairy and processed foods, together with a sedentary lifestyle, increases the risk of diabetes."
She continued: "Numerous research studies have shown people who are vegetarian or vegan to be anywhere from six pounds to over two stones slimmer than their meat-eating counterparts…[and] vegetarians have much lower blood pressure than meat eaters."
Other benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle include a reduced risk of heart disease and a lower incidence of migraine.
However, dietary experts note that vegetarians should keep an eye on the nutrient content of their diet and take supplements if necessary to maintain optimum health.
The Vegetarian & Vegan Foundation (VVF) is about to celebrate its sixth anniversary and has marked the occasion by highlighting the health benefits of the lifestyle choice.
