Choosing Life Over Meat
Choosing Meat Over Life
A recent survey was recently conducted that asked an interesting question and generated some alarming results. Two thirds of men who were polled said they would choose dying 10 years earlier rather than permanently give up meat.
While this was just a poll and not a peer reviewed scientific study, it is a curious choice of options as this study of Seventh Day Adventists (who do not eat meat) showed they live on average 10 years longer than your average person.
Not to mention this study shows that people who do not eat animal products are considerably less likely to develop cancer or heart disease. So the poll asking people if they would exchange 10 years of life for the ability to eat meat isn't just a random question. This is a real decision that most people opt to make, considering there is a wealth of scientific literature showing that a plant based diet is directly correlated with increased longevity.
So why do people still eat meat?
Some of it can be explained by ignorance, as there are a few people who have bought into the negative PR that a plant based diet can actually be detrimental to their health. Some of it can be explained by social stigma, as some people feel they would be mocked by their peers for adopting a plant based diet. I think we're all aware the word "vegan" does come with a certain amount of baggage in 2021.
However, more and more people have become very aware that eating meat comes with health disadvantages, and choosing to eat meat despite this could point to meat having addictive qualities.
In this study on food addiction many different foods were compared to commonly abused and highly addictive drugs to observe their similarities. Red-meat, as well as processed foods high in sugar and fat, were among the foods that showed the greatest similarity to addictive drugs.
This study on food addiction showed that among people who were addicted to food, red-meat was among the most popular of choices for those sufferers.
Choose Life Over Meat
Eating meat does not make you stronger, it does not make you more masculine, and it certainly does not make you healthier compared to a person on a plant-based eating plan. Meat has been directly associated with diseases like heart disease and cancer where people on plant-based diets have demonstrated the complete opposite. Furthermore, meat has been shown to be associated with food addiction.
The survey asking people if they would trade 10 years of life for the ability to keep eating meat was indicative of the choice people are making everyday and it's alarming. Choose the extra ten years every time, no single food is worth a decade of time to spend with your family, pursue your career, achieve your goals, and everything else life has to offer.
Choose life over meat, you'll be glad you did when you're in your 70s and 80s.
God Bless,
Mercy Ballard