How Does Vegeterianism Help Longevity?
Many studies have been conducted to find out if vegetarianism supports longevity. The China Project, conducted in 2005 by Cornell and Oxford universities, has found evidence indicating that the emergence of cancer increases in direct proportion to the increased consumption of animal products. The study also indicated that a diet focusing mostly on vegetables and fruits increased the average longevity of the groups studied.
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Herbivors vs. Carnivores
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Romaine lettuce, kale, Swiss chard, collards and spinach are the most nutrient-dense foods. The human body is well suited for a herbivorous diet. Our intestines are twelve times our body length, which helps us break down complex carbohydrates and fibers found in plant products. The intestines of carnivores are only three times their body length. This allows for rapidly decaying meat to leave the body quickly. Meat putrefies within four hours after consumption, and the remnants cling to the walls of the stomach and intestines for three to four days.
Fiber and Complex Carbohydates
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Natural foods unadulterated by man are extremely complex. Natural and unprocessed plant substances are vital to our digestive health. Fruits and vegetables are high in various types of fiber and complex carbohydrates. These fibers can be either insoluble or water-soluble, which slows down glucose absorption and controls the speed of digestion. According to family physician and author of the book "Eat to Live," Joel Fuhrman, M.D, "Plant fibers have complex physiological effects in the digestive tract that offer a variety of benefits, such as lowering cholesterol."
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Phytochemicals
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Tomatoes are packed full of phytochemicals--many of which are still unknown. A tomato contains more than 10,000 different phytochemicals. Phytochemicals (phyto means plant) are naturally occurring plant-derived chemicals. Evidence suggests that phytochemicals fight a myriad of harmful diseases. “Cancer, for example, results primarily from a body’s lacking critical substances found in different types of vegetation, many of which are still undiscovered, that are metabolically necessary for normal protective function," Fuhrman says.
Benefits of Fruits and Veggies
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Substitute fruit for sweet products containing refined, bleached table sugar. Substances have been discovered in broccoli and cabbage sprouts that sweep toxins out of cells. Nuts and beans prevent damage to our cells' DNA. Compounds in beets, peppers and tomatoes fight cancerous changes in cells. Oranges and apples protect our blood vessels from damage that could lead to heart disease. "Many large-scale epidemiological studies have shown conclusively that certain plant foods play a role in protecting the body against diseases that affect-and kill-at least 500,000 Americans each year," Fuhrman says.
Drawbacks of Animal Product Consumption
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Pesticide residue is more highly concentrated in meat, eggs and milk than in plant foods. One of the drawbacks of animal product consumption is the presence of pesticides, hormones and antibiotics in livestock feed. If humans eat a large amount of antibiotics in meat, they will eventually become immune to the benefits of antibiotics in fighting infection. The higher-fat intake from animal products also promotes hormone production, which speeds up reproductive readiness and aging and promotes the growth of certain tumors.
Free Radicals
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Another drawback of animal product consumption is the increase of free radicals in the body. Free radicals are damaged oxygen molecules, and, once damaged, they damage healthy cells. The results are a compromised immune system, premature aging and an increased risk of cancer. Billy Ray Boyd, author of the book, "For the Vegetarian in You," says, “One result of free radical activity is atherosclerosis, which is the formation of plaques in the arteries, decreasing the interior diameter of the arterial walls. This restricts blood flow to the brain and heart, creating a tendency toward stroke and heart attack--for both men and women.”
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit vegetables image by dinostock from Fotolia.com ruby chard image by hazel proudlove from Fotolia.com pea sprouts image by Andrew Orlemann from Fotolia.com tomato image by YN from Fotolia.com fruit image by cherie from Fotolia.com meat image by dinostock from Fotolia.com
