Is it healthier to be an omnivore or a vegetarian?

       The debate has been going on for decades, is it healthier to be an omnivore or a vegetarian? Well here's the answer, being an omnivore is healthier than being a vegetarian. Throughout evolution, humans have been eating meat. Our digestive systems are well equipped to make full use of the fats, proteins and nutrients found in animal foods. Another is that you need protein. Protein is important for bone health. Consumption of protein is associated with increased bone density in old age and a lower risk of fractures. As well as when you get rid of meat you lose key nutrients which enhance the function of the immune and nervous systems.

From reading the article 7 Reasons Not to Avoid Meat by Kris Gunnars I know that throughout evolution, humans and pre-humans have been eating meat. Our digestive systems are well equipped to make full use of the fats, proteins and nutrients found in animal foods.The truth is that humans are omnivores. We function best eating both animals and plants. Meat was one of the reasons humans were able to evolve such large, elaborate brains.


From reading the article 7 Reasons Not to Avoid Meat by Kris Gunnars I know that when you get rid of meat, you lose many key nutrients. Including B12, B3 (Niacin), B6, iron, zinc, and selenium. Eating meat provides healthy saturated fats, which enhance the function of the immune and nervous systems. Vitamin B12 is essential to prevention of pernicious anemia, which affects the central nervous system; thus an omnivore's diet helps to protect the brain and nerves.


Protein is important for is bone health. In the article 7 Reasons Not to Avoid Meat by Kris Gunnars I read that studies show that consumption of protein is associated with increased bone density in old age and a lower risk of fractures. If you want to gain (or maintain) muscle, as well as prevent osteoporosis and fractures in old age, then the protein in meat can be beneficial. Just from one serving, meat gives you all the building blocks of protein you need for a day.

You could argue that vegetarians live longer. Based on studies tested, a peer-reviewed study of 73,308 people found that a vegetarian diet is associated with a 12% reduction in all-cause mortality. Meaning that the 73, 308 people that where interviewed that where vegetarian had a 12% more of a life span compared to the average omnivore. But here's the problem, the reason that vegetarians may live longer is because they usually tend to be more health conscious overall, eating a more balanced diet, exercising more, and smoking less than the general population. So that helps with them living longer.

As you can see being an omnivore is healthier than being a vegetarian. When you stop eating meat your body has trouble adapting as humans have been eating meat since the pre-historic times. If you stop eating meat you lose key nutrients which help the function of the immune and nervous systems. As well as meat as all the protein you need for a day in one serving, as protein is crucial for bone health. Those are my reasons why you should be an omnivore.

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