We're designed to eat meat
Our bodies evolved to eat animals
The first thing to clear up here is the difference between our ability to eat animal products and our bodies being specifically equipped to do so. It's clear of course that we're able to eat and digest meat and other
animal products (providing they're carefully prepared or cooked) and that we gain certain nutrients from doing so. It's also become clear however, that not only is a plant based diet the optimal choice for health and longevity
but that the standard omnivorous western diet is linked to the majority of the dietary related illnesses and disease now rife in the developed world.
If the human body is made to eat meat and animal products, how can their consumption have so many negative effects on our health? Why do they clog our arteries leading to (amongst others) heart attacks and strokes? And why does the dietary cholesterol found in animal products cause heart disease in humans (true carnivores and omnivores don't suffer this problem) the leading killer of humans in the developed world?
The answer to these questions is a simple one. We shouldn't be eating them.
Like many species of herbivores and frugivores on this planet our bodies are clearly able to process animal products, and doing so in times of scarcity most likely aided the survival of our species. But this is a hugely different factor than eating them all the time when we have an abundance of more suitable options.
There are plenty of herbivores (many primates included) who favour plant foods as their dietary staple but will consume small creatures, insects or the occasional bird's egg on rare, opportunistic occasions or through necessity in times of need.
animal products (providing they're carefully prepared or cooked) and that we gain certain nutrients from doing so. It's also become clear however, that not only is a plant based diet the optimal choice for health and longevity
but that the standard omnivorous western diet is linked to the majority of the dietary related illnesses and disease now rife in the developed world.
If the human body is made to eat meat and animal products, how can their consumption have so many negative effects on our health? Why do they clog our arteries leading to (amongst others) heart attacks and strokes? And why does the dietary cholesterol found in animal products cause heart disease in humans (true carnivores and omnivores don't suffer this problem) the leading killer of humans in the developed world?
The answer to these questions is a simple one. We shouldn't be eating them.
Like many species of herbivores and frugivores on this planet our bodies are clearly able to process animal products, and doing so in times of scarcity most likely aided the survival of our species. But this is a hugely different factor than eating them all the time when we have an abundance of more suitable options.
There are plenty of herbivores (many primates included) who favour plant foods as their dietary staple but will consume small creatures, insects or the occasional bird's egg on rare, opportunistic occasions or through necessity in times of need.
|
If we actually look objectively at the physiology of humans and other mammals it's clear that our bodies
are suited to eating plants rather than meat. The chart of comparative physiology below is taken from this particularly logical and well considered article that I highly recommend taking a look at.
are suited to eating plants rather than meat. The chart of comparative physiology below is taken from this particularly logical and well considered article that I highly recommend taking a look at.
This excellent video from Mic. the Vegan explaining why humans are herbivores is also worthy of you time.
And here Dr Michael Greger explores how diet affects the leading causes of death in the developed world
If we think logically and rationally and are honest enough to look past our own tastebuds and ingrained cultural habits, it's not that hard to see how we're physiologically built for a plant-based diet. The fact that it's also the most ethical and the most environmentally friendly is simply the icing on the cruelty-free cake.
You'll find further perspective on this topic (plus another great video from Mic. the Vegan) in my
response to the similar argument that humans have always eaten meat and evolved to do so.
You'll find further perspective on this topic (plus another great video from Mic. the Vegan) in my
response to the similar argument that humans have always eaten meat and evolved to do so.
"Continue to grow and evolve."
Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi