Although the figures are still timid (there would be approximately 5% vegetarian in France), the fact of not eating meat or fish is no longer strange. Nothing complicated, as the supply of veggie products has exploded in recent years, both in supermarkets and in restaurants. And the phenomenon is not about to stop since among 16-25 year olds, one in two young people say ready to reduce consumption of meat.
The reasons are not lacking: respect for animals, the planet (deforestation and GMO plantations to feed the animals…), but also for its health. Many studies show that the more meat you eat, the greater the risk of being affected by overweight and obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease or cancer. Focus on 5 reasons to reduce your meat consumption.
To reduce the inflammatory phenomenon
“Meat contains pro-inflammatory elements (saturated fatty acids, omega-6, iron)”, underlines Dr. Jean-Paul Curtay, doctor and nutritherapy specialist. But inflammation makes the bed many diseases (overweight and obesity, diabetes, cancer…).
Cooking at high temperatures aggravates this problem. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified red meat as “probably carcinogenic“. Conversely, plants contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds that protect cells.
Read also : Taxing red meat to save lives?
To fill up on fiber
While health authorities advise eating 30 g fiber per day, we only consume an average of 20 g. However, they have many advantages. They lower the glycemic index of the meal, lead to long-lasting satiety and prevent snacking. They also feed the good microbiota bacteria that regulate weight. Finally, they lower the level of sugar and cholesterol in the blood. They are only found in plants, hence the interest of eating less meat and more lentils, quinoa, nuts…
Read also : Microbiota: my menus to find the line
To promote the elimination of toxins
“Meats are particularly high in purines, molecules that clog and acidify the body. Thus, 100 g of beef provide 1500 mg, 100 g of fish 150 mg and 100 g of carrots 5 mg”lists Christine Calvet, naturopath.
An organism that is too acidic works in slow motion, the liver and kidneys, responsible for eliminating toxins, can no longer fulfill their mission correctly.
“A diet too rich in purines and saturated fats, associated with a lack of physical activity, promotes abdominal fat. But it is both the most difficult to destock and the most harmful to health”warns the naturopath.
Read also : Detox: 5 juices to erase excess
To take care of your microbiota
“Meat consumption promotes the development of bad bacteria in the microbiota, explains Dr. Jean-Paul Curtay. This is involved in a very large number of body functions: digestion and immunity, but also weight control by affecting appetite and calorie uptake.
Prebiotics, specific fibers present in fruits, vegetables, cereals and seeds of all kinds, on the contrary promote the proliferation of good bacteria.
Read also : A week of menus special intestinal flora
To have fun with good meat
Before the boom in factory farming, little meat was consumed on a daily basis because it was rare and expensive. Today, we have the choice between cheap meat (raised in poor conditions, treated with antibiotics, fed with GMO soy…) and the quality one(animals raised in the open air, on small farms, without systematic treatment, with organic food, etc.), which has a cost. Better to afford only one steak a week, but a good one!
Read also : What are the quality labels?