Vegetarianism Pros and Cons List

As more and more people decide to make the change to a vegan lifestyle, it is important to thoroughly analyze the pros and cons behind this new and different approach to food consumption. There are some who stand behind the benefits associated with a vegetarian life, while others believe that we ascended to the peak of the food chain and should reap the benefits. Read on to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of vegetarianism.

List of Pros of Vegetarianism

1. Diminishes Animal Cruelty.
We can no longer claim that we need to kill animals for food in order to live. With such a wide array of vegetarian options available, it is not ethical to kill animals and studies have shown that they are sentient beings with the ability to feel pain and become frightened when their lives are threatened.

2. World Hunger Can Be Alleviated.
There are nearly one billion people in the world who are suffering from chronic hunger. By taking the plant protein that is used to feed animals before they are slaughtered and using it to feed humans instead, a serious dent could be put into the world hunger issue. The grain that is used in the United States alone could be used to feed hundreds of millions of people.

3. Lowered Risk of Heart Disease and Diabetes.
Excessive meat consumption increases a person’s risk for heart disease and studies have shown that non vegetarians have a far greater mortality rate from heart related issues than those who consume a vegan diet. Additionally, processed meats have also been linked to the onset of Type 2 diabetes.

List of Cons of Vegetarianism

1. Meat Is A Top Protein Source.
There are few sources of protein that are more convenient than meat. While plants can also provide crucial amino acids and proteins, they are unable to deliver these essential nutrients over the course of one sitting. Meat is also a great source for zinc, iron and Vitamin B.

2. Meats Are Key To Human Evolution.
Meat has been attributed to the development of human intelligence by a number of scientists and is considered to be a key aspect in the process of human evolution. Meat provided early humans with a vital nutrient base and our taste buds have now evolved over the course of time to continually crave meat.

3. No Difference In Mortality Rates.
One of the most common myths that is trumpeted by those who have made the conversion to vegetarian living is that their life expectancy experiences an increase. In reality, a number of studies have been performed on the subject, none of which uncovered any sort of conclusive link between vegetarianism and a longer life span.