Three reasons to go veggie

What do you call a vegetarian who has an almost balanced diet?  

Rad-ish. 

Cutting meat out of your diet is not quite as easy as ordering cheese pizza instead of pepperoni. However, a well-balanced vegetarian diet offers a whole bundle of health benefits. Load up your plate with diverse fruits, veggies and whole grains and every mouthful will come with helpful antioxidants.  

Why do antioxidants matter? Well, many studies, including one on the Frontiers website, show antioxidants play an important role in fighting the free radicals that can lead to diseases associated with aging, such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease and even cancer.

Here are three reasons to go veggie: 

1. Lower your risk of heart disease. A well-balanced vegetarian diet typically contains a low amount of saturated fat and cholesterol, two factors associated with a lower risk of heart disease. A study on the National Library of Science website involving over 76,000 participants found that vegetarians were 25% less likely to die of heart disease than those who eat meat. 
2. Maintain a healthy blood pressure. High blood pressure rates are linked to heart attacks and health problems such as strokes, dementia and kidney failure. A study on the Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology website shows that healthy vegetarian diets that include dairy products can help maintain a healthy blood pressure level. 
3. Prevent cancer. While scientists work hard to understand how diet impacts the various types of cancer, multiple studies show that vegetarians have a lower risk of getting cancer than non-vegetarians. This could be because vegetarians consume more antioxidant-rich foods and therefore avoid exposure to carcinogens found in red meat or a number of other factors.  

Looking for ways to feel healthier and lower your risk of common diseases? Consider eating a vegetarian diet packed with healthy foods. While a diet of candy, french fries and cereal might be vegetarian, it sure won't reduce your risk of disease. Whether you cut out all forms of meat or still eat fish, remember: A well-balanced vegetarian diet is rad-ish.