There are many reasons to eat vegetarian food. Among other things, this ethical, environmental, health, economic, and spiritual considerations play a role.
In recent years, enjoys the vegetarian diet increasing popularity, which is reflected in a growing number of vegetarian dishes, vegetarian restaurants and vegetarian or vegan cookbooks. And there are good reasons that speak for a meatless diet. Here are five reasons why you should consider becoming a vegetarian (or even vegan).
Ethical reasons for a vegetarian diet
Slaughter animals are highly developed creatures normally. Marc Bekoff, biology professor at the University of Colorado and author of "The Emotional Lives of Animals" is of the opinion that many animal species possess a rich in emotions mental life and a strong social behavior. Solely for their meat to kill Such highly developed creatures and thereby reduce their whole lives only on meat production, contrary to all ethical principles. And the simple fact that most people feel nothing but loathing and inner turmoil at the sight of the slaughter process, points out that eating meat of human nature contradicts .
Ecological reasons for the meatless diet
This may surprise you, but the (mass) animal husbandry is one of the largest polluters worldwide. It is responsible for about 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, which is more than the entire transport sector including all cars, planes and other means of transportation together. Cattle farming is also mainly responsible for the deforestation of many regions, where for the purpose of cattle and the cultivation of animal feed soya precious rainforests are destroyed.
A by-product of (mass) animal husbandry is ammonia, which contributes to the acidification of soils. In addition, the meat industry has (indirectly through the cultivation of feed) considerable amount of water pollution by nitrogen and phosphorus. And finally, a vegetarian diet also helps to counteract the dramatic overfishing of the oceans, which has been described by Greenpeace International as the biggest threat to the marine ecosystem. Hardly a measure benefits the environment as easy and resounding like the vegetarian or, even better, the vegan diet.
Health reasons, to eat vegetarian food
Meat consumption is associated with numerous health risks such as high cholesterol, obesity and diseases such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis and various heart diseases. Another problem is posed by the residues of growth hormones and antibiotics, which are found in meat and meat products. In addition, meat consumption carries an elevated risk of food poisoning from rotten meat.
The human body does not necessarily need meat to stay healthy - and too much of it is harmful in any case. There are numerous vegetarian protein sources such as nuts or legumes. High quality vegetable oils are a much healthier source of fat than meat or meat products.
Economic reasons for a vegetarian diet
Meat production is wasteful. The data necessary for human life nutrients and calories can more economically be produced via a vegetarian diet - the meat industry consumes a multiple resources such as water, energy and arable land to produce the same amount of protein or calories. It is therefore often said that twenty vegetarians could live off the land of a meat eater.
Spiritual reasons to become a vegetarian
Many spiritual traditions, especially the yoga warn of subtle negative effects of meat consumption on the human mind. Swami Sivananda in his book "May I answer that" anxiety, aggressiveness and irritability as a result of meat consumption. An attempt in the Maryland Correctional Adjustment Center of Baltimore prison showed that the inmates were significantly less aggressive when they received a vegan diet. In addition, according to the Yoga teachings carnal food produces bad karma, both for the producer and the consumer. Can not eat meat an exercise in non-violence (ahimsa) are - a concept that is in Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism is of central importance. Ever vegetarianism can be an expression of love and compassion and thus represent the basic values of all spiritual, religious and humanist traditions, especially Christianity.
In recent years, enjoys the vegetarian diet increasing popularity, which is reflected in a growing number of vegetarian dishes, vegetarian restaurants and vegetarian or vegan cookbooks. And there are good reasons that speak for a meatless diet. Here are five reasons why you should consider becoming a vegetarian (or even vegan).
Ethical reasons for a vegetarian diet
Slaughter animals are highly developed creatures normally. Marc Bekoff, biology professor at the University of Colorado and author of "The Emotional Lives of Animals" is of the opinion that many animal species possess a rich in emotions mental life and a strong social behavior. Solely for their meat to kill Such highly developed creatures and thereby reduce their whole lives only on meat production, contrary to all ethical principles. And the simple fact that most people feel nothing but loathing and inner turmoil at the sight of the slaughter process, points out that eating meat of human nature contradicts .
Ecological reasons for the meatless diet
This may surprise you, but the (mass) animal husbandry is one of the largest polluters worldwide. It is responsible for about 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, which is more than the entire transport sector including all cars, planes and other means of transportation together. Cattle farming is also mainly responsible for the deforestation of many regions, where for the purpose of cattle and the cultivation of animal feed soya precious rainforests are destroyed.
A by-product of (mass) animal husbandry is ammonia, which contributes to the acidification of soils. In addition, the meat industry has (indirectly through the cultivation of feed) considerable amount of water pollution by nitrogen and phosphorus. And finally, a vegetarian diet also helps to counteract the dramatic overfishing of the oceans, which has been described by Greenpeace International as the biggest threat to the marine ecosystem. Hardly a measure benefits the environment as easy and resounding like the vegetarian or, even better, the vegan diet.
Health reasons, to eat vegetarian food
Meat consumption is associated with numerous health risks such as high cholesterol, obesity and diseases such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis and various heart diseases. Another problem is posed by the residues of growth hormones and antibiotics, which are found in meat and meat products. In addition, meat consumption carries an elevated risk of food poisoning from rotten meat.
The human body does not necessarily need meat to stay healthy - and too much of it is harmful in any case. There are numerous vegetarian protein sources such as nuts or legumes. High quality vegetable oils are a much healthier source of fat than meat or meat products.
Economic reasons for a vegetarian diet
Meat production is wasteful. The data necessary for human life nutrients and calories can more economically be produced via a vegetarian diet - the meat industry consumes a multiple resources such as water, energy and arable land to produce the same amount of protein or calories. It is therefore often said that twenty vegetarians could live off the land of a meat eater.
Spiritual reasons to become a vegetarian
Many spiritual traditions, especially the yoga warn of subtle negative effects of meat consumption on the human mind. Swami Sivananda in his book "May I answer that" anxiety, aggressiveness and irritability as a result of meat consumption. An attempt in the Maryland Correctional Adjustment Center of Baltimore prison showed that the inmates were significantly less aggressive when they received a vegan diet. In addition, according to the Yoga teachings carnal food produces bad karma, both for the producer and the consumer. Can not eat meat an exercise in non-violence (ahimsa) are - a concept that is in Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism is of central importance. Ever vegetarianism can be an expression of love and compassion and thus represent the basic values of all spiritual, religious and humanist traditions, especially Christianity.
Links and References:
The Emotional Lives of Animals: A Leading Scientist Explores Animal Joy, Sorrow and Empathy - and Why They Matter. By Marc Bekoff.
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