Soulful Body & Mind

In the Western world, we are trained and programmed to consume meat and animal byproducts.  If you question this, then compare fruit and vegetable advertisements to fast food and processed food advertisements.  If you still question whether or not we are trained to eat meat and dairy products, think back on some menus, that you've browsed through in restaurants and remember what is featured and promoted most.  If you are still unsure, go to the grocery store and see how imbalanced the selection is for fresh fruits and vegetables in comparison to the massive aisles of canned goods and meats.

I am big on weighing out pros and cons to help me make decisions.  This allows me to focus on my perspective based off knowledge and experiences.  When something has more positives or pros, then it is agreeable to me.  At this point, I usually plan my actions and views using my newly established perspective.

With that said, after researching and now experiencing the benefits of not eating meat, it's undeniable to me that it's more beneficial than harmful.

If you are a die-hard meat eater and feel like there are more benefits to eat meat everyday than not eating it, then list your benefits and send it to me.  I will feature it on this PRO-VEGAN website.  Seriously.

Thank you to the responders to my post at VeggieBoards.  I asked for their contribution and was not disappointed.  You guys really helped me on the direction I took with this posting.  I am sincerely grateful. 

1. To save the lives and well-being of animals.  Our animal friends are treated like pieces of meat in most slaughterhouses.  Animals have souls.  There were over 9 BILLION chickens slaughtered in the US in 2008.  Along with over 35 million cattle, 116 million pigs and over 270 million turkey.  source

2. Lower your risk for cancers.  It is widely accepted in the scientific community that a diet high in meat consumption helps develop certain cancers.  On the flip side, if you do not eat meat, you automatically reduce your risk by 64% of developing stomach cancer and lower your risk by 53% for bladder cancer.  source

3. Breath will smell better.  Vegans have fresher breath.  The meats contribute to the bacteria that causes bad breath.  Eliminate the meats and you greatly reduce your risk of halitosis.  source

4. Better digestion.  Meats are heavy in content.  But, more importantly, they are way harder on your digestive system than sun foods.  Meats are one of the hardest foods to digest, especially beef.

5. Less stomach problems.  Because of #4 Better digestion, your stomach will be relieved from aches and pains due to indigestion.

6. Have more energy.  When your body is constantly trying to digest meat, it leaves little room for energy spurts.  By reducing or limiting your meat intake, you will have more energy. 

7. Reduce risk of heart disease.  Eating animal-based foods decreases the amount of blood flowing throughout the body.  The American Journal of Epidemiology published a study which revealed that non-meat-eaters reduced their risk of heart disease by 30%.  source

8. To help preserve the rain forests.  With the increased consumption of beef by Americans and others, more cattle pastures have been made.  In the Brazilian Amazon, cattle ranching is responsible for up to 70% of the deforestation.  source

9. To lose weight.  It's not a secret that most vegans or vegetarians are less likely to be obese.  In fact, a study shows that only up to 6% of vegetarians are obese.  Compared to up to 45% for meat eaters.  source

10. Less stress.  You are what you eat and if you eat farm-raised animals for food, chances are they are from a stress-filled environment.  You consume the blood of the animal therefore you inherit its stress.  Watch PETA's Meet Your Meat (WARNING: Graphic Material)

11. Crave meat less.  When you decrease or cut-out eating meat, you will also decrease your cravings for it.  There are additives and chemicals in meat that make you addicted to it so as to crave it, especially the fast food varieties.  source

12. Less teeth issues.  If you eat meat, at one time or another, you've had a chunk stuck between your teeth.  This can lead to problems with your teeth and gums.

13. Lower the risk for high blood pressure.  Many studies have proven that eliminating meat from your diet helps stabilize your blood pressure.  One particular study showed that a number of patients that switched to a vegetarian diet improved substantially by 30 to 70 percent.  source

14. Lower chance of impotence.  High blood pressure and its medications to reduce or regulate it, can cause impotence. 

15. Increase sex drive.  With the blood pumping more normally, you will receive full benefit of a healthy blood flow to certain areas (o: - which in turn increases your libido or sex drive.

16. Lower cholesterol levels.  This is why doctors tell you to cut out red meat if your cholesterol is high.  Meat and dairy are the major culprits in causing high cholesterol.

17. Less aches and pains.  Meat is extremely acidic forming.  This acidic ash and mucus causes unhealthy inflammation in joints which leads to joint pains and arthritis.

18. Less chemicals.  Meat contains harmful chemicals like: hormones, antibiotics, bacteria, dioxins and other toxicities.  source

19. Clearer skin.  Your skin is the body's largest organ.  Eliminating meat reduces the toxicities that your body has to exude through your organs.  This helps the skin to stay healthy.

20. You will have to eat more natural foods.  Especially, if meat is your major food source.  If you don't eat meat then you'll have to eat more fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds or grains.  This is a good thing!

Thanks for reading and if you have anything to add, please do so in the comments section.

Peace Peace,
S. Ali Myers
Soulful Body & Mind