THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF BEING VEGETARIANS

    

             Most people in the world are omnivores, eating a varied diet of meat, vegetables and fruit. Some people, on the other hand, choose to be vegetarian, which means not eating meat. In today's society, the number of people choosing to be vegetarian is really high and it is increasing gradually; they are no longer a  minority. Despite this high number, being vegetarian has a lot of advantages along with certain disadvantages.

              Firstly, there are many up sides of being a vegetarian. It is believed that being a vegetarian reduces the risk of dying of heart disease. According to research, vegetarians have been shown to have a 24% lower risk of dying of heart disease than non-vegetarians. The other advantage is that a plant-based diet prevents cancer. It is explained that eating meat increases the risk of cancer because meat contains animal proteins and while cooking at high temperature, these proteins transform into a catalyst for cancer cells. Vegetarians avoid toxic food contaminants such as hormones, herbicides and pesticides. According to research, a plant-based diets also strengthens the immune system and slows down the aging process. Another bonus is that on average, vegetarians tend to be slim.In other words, what is not to like?

               Secondly, there also are various disadvantages. Vegetarians must find an alternative source of vitamin B12, which is found in animal products only. Most vegetarians regularly take vitamin B12 supplements to address this problem. Some research has also found that omega-3 fatty acids can’t be provided by a plant-based diet. This, as a result is another supplement to be added to the diet. Vitamin D, which is crucial for bone health, can also be a problem, so being a vegetarian is not recommended for people while growing up. In short, vegetarians need to think carefully while planning their diet.

                In conclusion, being vegetarian has the edge in some situations but it also brings some disadvantages. In some societies and environments, being a vegetarian is a hard decision but if people decide to be vegetarians after thinking about the pros and cons , nothing is more important. It is their choice.