10 reasons to celebrate if you vegan

1. Vegans can avoid some chronic diseases, even if there is a genetic predisposition

According to the World Health Organization in 2008, 63% of deaths in the world have been associated with non-communicable chronic diseases. Among them are: heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity and some cancers

. Studies have shown that a diet based on plants can significantly reduce the risk of such diseases. Plant foods rich in natural antioxidants. Antioxidants - substances that neutralize free radicals. Free radicals, in turn, are the cause of cell aging and increase the risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, stroke.

2. You save the life of most of the 150 billion animals are killed each year, the meat industry

Number of animals killed for meat consumption is estimated in billions annually. These statistics do not include animals killed in shelters negligent, circuses, zoos. 97% of animals killed for meat accounts for food industry.
So set aside the sharp knives, and grab a salad fork, you never know whose life you could save. Maybe even your own (see para. 3)

3. Vegans live longer

Loma Linda University for 6 years, follows the lives of 70,000 men and women and found that vegetarian diet allows you to live longer.

"After separation, the participants in the experiment 5 different groups (nevegeatriantsy, poluvegetariantsy, peskovegetariantsy, laktoovovegetariantsy and vegans), the authors found that laktoovovegetariantsy and vegans generally live longer. And participants in these two groups tend to be more educated, mostly married, drink less strong drink, smoke less, exercise more and more slender.

The mortality rate among vegans and laktovovegetariantsev was lower by about 12% compared to the carnivores of the experiment participants. Especially the big difference is palpable among men: significantly reduced the incidence of cardiovascular diseases "
. Source (NY Daily News)

4. Herbal diet makes you happier

Recently the journal Nutrition Journal published a study which states that people who do not eat meat, happier and less stressed.

In the study, people were divided into 3 groups: the "fish / poultry / meat", "just fish", "meat-free". Those who did not eat meat, feel happier and experienced less stress than participants in the other two groups. The researchers explain this effect of fatty acids. Diets comprising fish and meats, contain more arachidonic acid (omega-6 fatty acid).

Modern meat diet includes 5 times more omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids than the diet of our ancestors. Omega-6 is useful in small quantities, but is harmful in large. High levels of arachidonic acid can cause insomnia, fatigue, stroke, increased cholesterol levels, and so on.

5. vegans lower body mass index

Vegan diet will make you slimmer. This is confirmed by another study Loma Linda University (yes, what do you want from a vegetarian University). The study was published in the journal "The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics". The study is based on information about diets 5 different groups: meat eaters, poluvegetariantsy (very discreet name of the people who eat meat rare), peskovegetariantsy (eating fish), laktoovovegetariantsy (eat honey, dairy products) and vegans (do not eat anything of animal origin).

Data were collected during the 2002-2007 period, 7 days a week among the people, average age 59 years. Studies have shown that the average body mass index lower in vegans, and above all in the meat-eaters. This is despite the fact that an equal number of calories (quality digestible nutrients miscellaneous) was incorporated into the diets. At least meat-eaters in the diet of vegetable protein, beta-carotene, fiber, magnesium, and most of all fatty acids (see para. 4).

6. Vegans retain water

It may sound corny, but the level of fresh water on Earth is rapidly declining. National Geographic reports the following:

The average person consumes 3,400 liters of water per day to various their needs: food, transportation, health and other household stuff
. One of the easiest ways to save on water power is cut in the diet of meat and fish. Or even choose animals that feed is grass, not grain (the cultivation of grain and spent a lot of water).

For the production of poultry meat portion is used approximately 340 liters of water. Include even the cost of transportation (yes, fuel production is also not without water). It appears, moreover, that it is better to reduce consumption of meat, so also it is best if you keep track of how far you carry consumable products (the local production, the less water consumption).

Traditional production of pork and products from it (bacon, sausage, ham, etc.) in addition to water consumption for the production of results tend also to contamination of local water sources.
On average vegan consumes 2250 liters of water per day is less than the meat-eater (note: these are indicated on the National Geographic website about the situation in the United States)

. 7. All the cool kids are doing it

Many scientists predict that by 2050, one way or another many have become vegetarians. Meat production requires a lot of resources: a vast territory, a large amount of water and feed. World population is growing and will soon be very difficult to stick to a diet of meat, even for purely technical reasons.

Even Bill Gates once said: "The Future of meat - it is a vegetarian" (in the original "The future of meat is vegan"). And indeed, many prominent personalities have already embarked on the path of vegetarianism: Aristotle, Pythagoras, Nikola Tesla, Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, Abraham Lincoln, Bill Clinton, Bob Marley, Leo Tolstoy and many others (even Brad Pitt)).

8. vegans better ...

What does "better ...."? Some studies suggest that increases libido while a vegetarian diet. This is because the larger the content of zinc and vitamins B in vegetarian food, compared to myasoedcheskoy diet. A vegetarian diet changes the body's metabolism so that the smell of the human body secretions become more enjoyable. And fructose, a natural sugar found in fruits in large quantities, increases energy and stamina without harmful effects.

9. And your skin shines

That is what we usually promise in advertising, you can reach a vegetarian diet.

"What is it doing to our skin meat? Firstly, such a diet rich in fats, which often leads to cardiovascular disease. And this in turn means that unhealthy arteries do not deliver to your skin enough nutrients that make your skin more healthy and attractive.

One study showed that the consumption of meat in particular, contributes to inflammation in the body, which in turn penetrates into the skin, destroying the famous sets for commercials collagen and elastin (the building blocks for a youthful and elastic skin).

Meat may even be a cause of skin diseases such as acne (acne). According to research by the excess in the diet of animal fats contributes to the development of this skin affliction.

'A well-balanced vegetarian diet usually contains more vitamin C,' - says Kristin Kirkpatrick, an expert portal YouBeauty Nutrition. "Vitamin C is necessary for collagen production, which improves skin elasticity and reduces wrinkles. 'A lot of Vitamin C is found in oranges, cauliflower, lemons, papaya, strawberries and garlic" -. The Huffington Post

10. There is a worldwide hunger

More than 925 million people do not have enough food each year. This is despite the fact that we produce every year crops in 2 times more than the required amount in order to feed the world. What is the problem? Most of the produced grain is used to feed farm animals. To produce 1 kg of meat on average 16 kg of grain is necessary. According to the USDA (United States Agency for Agriculture) on 1 acre of land can grow cattle on 20 pounds of usable protein food. While, on the same acre of land can grow 356 pounds of soybeans, more than 17 times as much!

So, if you stick to a vegetarian diet, then you are not only saving the animals from an agonizing death, environmental exhaustion, and your body of obesity and possibly many other even more terrible diseases! Thereby improving the quality of life for themselves and their descendants :)