CHECK Berlin #4

NUTRITION
ENGLISH
NO NEED FOR MEAT
Have you ever considered eating less meat or giving it up entirely? Some do it
because they feel sorry for the animals. Others simply want to live healthier.
Here we show you a few good reasons why you can - if only for a while - live
happily without meat.
Foto: sonsedskaya_stock.adobe.com
YOU EAT MORE FIBER
Plant foods, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes,
seeds, and grains are high in fiber. They
pass through the intestine undigested and thus
stimulate digestion. Certain intestinal bacteria
process what is indigestible for us into shortchain
fatty acids. This is totally healthy because
these fatty acids regulate blood sugar levels,
reduce inflammation, and reduce the risk of
heart attack or diabetes.
YOU SMELL BETTER
Researchers at the Karls-University in Prague
found that people who follow a vegetarian diet
have a finer sense of smell. But vegetarians not
only did better in that test! Their sweat odor was
also rated as more pleasant than that of meat
eaters.
THERE IS A LOWER RATE OF DEATHS
FROM CANCER
The German Cancer Research Center found
that vegetarians have a drastically reduced risk
of death from developing cancer. Out of 100 expected
deaths in the group of meat eaters there
were only 59 deaths among vegetarians.
The positive effect of the vegetarian
diet is even more clear when
considering that among
male study participants
there were only 52
deaths.
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CHECK | AUSGABE 4
IT‘S BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
According to the Federal German Environment
Agency, the production of one kilogram of beef
causes an average of more than 15 kilograms
of greenhouse gas emissions. The production
of fruit or vegetables results in less than a
kilogram. So those who eat less meat do save
emissions. That might not be enough to stop
climate change, but it is definitely a good,
healthy start.
YOU EAT MORE CONSCIOUSLY
Decades of meat propaganda has instilled
in us the need to eat meat. If we don‘t, we
will get sick because we would lack valuable
nutrients. This has ensured that serious
vegetarians are incredibly knowledgeable
about nutrition. They know where to get which
vitamins, proteins, fiber and micronutrients
from. There is a tremendous amount of literature
on the subject and the Internet is also full
of information. If you are unsure, you can also
consult a nutritionist.
YOU’RE MORE ADVENTUROUS
IN THE KITCHEN
A meal without meat is not a meal? If you look
at German cuisine in particular, you might
think that‘s true. But if you embark on a life
without eating meat, you will quickly notice
that there are numerous tasty alternatives.
From the simple potato to the exotic fruit, there
are no limits to creativity in the preparation
of plant-based food. Be curious and enjoy the
new tastes you discover on the way. (ts,sw)