From low cancer risk to better sex, these 7 health benefits of vegetarianism will make you quit non-veg

Quit playing games with…your own health, ladies. And start by quitting chicken and meat to focus on a completely vegetarian diet and relish the multiple health benefits of vegetarianism.

Not only can this step help you reduce animal cruelty and prevent a host of other infections and illnesses spread by eating animals off your plates–a plant-based diet has a host of health benefits that can make your life better.

Take a look at all the good things that come with becoming a vegetarian:

1. It can help you lose weight
A 2016 review of studies concluded that plant-based diets were healthier and more effective in terms of weight loss as compared to omnivorous diets—thanks to a decreased consumption of saturated fats from chicken and meat.

That’s not all! A study conducted in 2015 found that vegetarian diets aided weight loss by boosting metabolism, as vegetarians burnt more calories than non-vegetarians in general.

2. It can prevent diabetes
Vegetarian diets that are more focused on the consumption of whole grains, green, leafy vegetables, and nuts have more to them than just their slimming effect. These foods basically have a low glycaemic index, which means that they do not cause your blood sugar levels to spike instantly and drastically upon their consumption.

This is exactly why a study published in the journal Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Diseases claims that vegetarians have half the risk of developing diabetes compared to non-vegetarians.

Also, Read: 9 surprising and unusual symptoms of diabetes that you must be aware of

3. It can keep your blood pressure in check
As per a study published by the Cambridge University Press, vegetarians have lower blood pressure compared to non-veg eaters. This is simply because plant-based foods tend to have lower fat content, sodium, and cholesterol content which can keep your blood pressure in check.

Additionally, fruits and vegetables are rich in potassium, which also helps lower blood pressure and keep hypertension at bay.

Also, Read: Pilates is just perf for you if you want to improve your blood pressure, says study

4. It can boost your heart health
Your chances of getting a heart disease cut down by a third if you’re a vegetarian, or so, claims a study The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. This is because chicken and meat-eaters tend to have a higher level of unhealthy cholesterol blocking their arteries and increasing the risk of getting a heart disease.

Not to mention, the controlled blood pressure and blood sugar levels from a vegetarian diet can further boost your heart health by keeping obesity, hypertension, and diabetes in check.

5. It can reduce your cancer risk
Several studies including the one published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, have hailed the immunity-boosting power of fresh fruits and vegetables that vegetarian people tend to eat in abundance.

This power is what can help reduce the risk of certain types of cancer in vegetarians. 

Quiz Time: A fiber-rich diet is all you need to keep the risk of breast cancer at bay, says study

6. It can relieve asthma symptoms
A Swedish study found that following a plant-based diet helped relieve symptoms of asthma in several people, thereby, reducing their dependency on medicines.

This can be attributed to the fact that many animal-based foods can contain allergens that cause inflammation and aggravate the plight of an asthma patient.

7. It can improve your sex life
A survey conducted in the United Kingdom this year found that non-vegetarians are “selfish in bed and unhappy in their sex lives compared to vegetarians” with 57% vegetarians having sex three to four times a week compared to 49% meat-eaters, who reportedly enjoyed sex one to two times a week.

Additionally, 95% of vegetarians said that they were satisfied with their sex lives.

The study further explains that vegetarians usually eat foods such as maca, fenugreek leaves, ginseng, aniseed, and a host of different fruits and veggies—which are known for their natural aphrodisiac properties that can boost sexual desire and satisfaction.