American women are more likely to care about animal rights than American men, according to a recent YouGov
study. The study found that 84 percent of women in the U.S. claim to “care a lot
” about animal rights, while only 69 percent of American men say the same.
As regrettable as these findings are, they really aren’t that surprising. Around the world, societies
feminize compassion and
masculinize eating meat, and the “
protein myth” isn’t easy to unlearn. Men are conditioned to believe that eating animals makes them strong and masculine, and the meat industry perpetuates this unfortunate misconception, spending billions of dollars annually on advertising that appeals to men, from oversexualized print ads to commercials that have men chanting, “Go meat!
” But there are so many
reasons more men should try veganism.
Men in the U.S.
eat way too much meat, and it’s literally killing them. Meat consumption is linked to many of today’s deadliest illnesses, including
cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. And dairy consumption has been linked to everything from Parkinson’s disease to acne. A vegan diet, on the other hand, has been shown to boost energy, lower stress, and improve fitness performance. Plus, vegans are reportedly more popular on dating apps.
Still need more motivation to make the switch? Here are 25
reasons men should try veganism.
Meat Is Actually Gross
In 2013 the CDC reported that about
80 percent of antibiotics in the U.S. were given to animals raised for food—mostly to promote unnatural growth rates and prevent the spread of diseases. The CDC also estimates that at least
2 million infections in humans from antibiotic-resistant bacteria occur every year, and the Center for Science in the Public Interest reports that
22 percent of these infections are linked to foodborne pathogens.
A Lot of Fish Is Contaminated With Plastic and Mercury
Not only is fish meat chock-full of saturated fat and cholesterol, but mercury levels in tuna are
10 million times higher than in seawater, and researchers at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine found that
25 percent of fish tested had plastic in their bellies. Further, the FDA reports that seafood imports from China—around
27 percent of the seafood consumed by Americans—are often contaminated.
Going Vegan Can Lead to Better Fitness
Not only do
vegans typically report faster recovery times after workouts, but countless
studies demonstrate that a plant-based diet is perfect for meeting the calorie and protein demands of physically active folks.
You’ll Probably Smell Better
According to
a recent study published in
Evolution & Human Behavior, women prefer the body odor of men who eat their fruits and veggies.
Plant-Based Diets Lower Cholesterol
According to
a recent dietary review of 49 observational and controlled studies, vegetarian diets, especially vegan diets, are associated with lower levels of total cholesterol, including lower levels of HDL and LDL cholesterol, compared with omnivorous diets.
Vegans Are 42 Percent Less Likely to Develop Heart Disease
According to
Newsweek, a recent
study from the American Heart Association found that a plant-based diet is the best choice for
reducing your risk of heart disease—even if you don’t have a history of cardiac conditions.
Plant-Based Diets Reduce the Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes
More than
100 million Americans live with diabetes or prediabetes, according to the CDC, but plant-based diets could help change that number. New research from the
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine found that a
vegan diet may reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes.
Meat Consumption Is Linked to Prostate Cancer
The
World Health Organization suggests that both red and processed meats may be associated with increased risk of prostate cancer.
A Vegan Diet Boosts Immune Health
The
immune-boosting power of plant-based diets is partly due to their high vitamin and low fat content, but other contributors, such as reduced toxic chemicals and animal proteins, could be partially responsible as well.
Your Skin Will Probably Get Clearer
Milk contains components
related to the hormone testosterone that may stimulate oil glands in the skin, and a wealth of
research links dairy consumption to acne.
Plant-Based Diets Can Make It Easier to Maintain a Healthy Weight
Studies show that
people who follow plant-based diets generally have lower BMIs, and for people with diabetes,
plant-based diets lead to twice as much weight loss as a traditional diabetes diet.
A Single Vegan Meal Can Improve Sexual Performance
Eating just one vegan meal can improve sexual performance, according to
The Game Changers, a forthcoming documentary that shows men recording better erections after going plant-based for the night.
Eating More Plants Will Help You Stay Hydrated
Most fruits and vegetables contain water, and plant foods like strawberries, spinach, celery, cantaloupe, watermelon, green peppers, cucumbers, and oranges have the highest water content of all—so eating more
plants could help you stay hydrated.
Most People Are Lactose Intolerant
An astonishing three-quarters of people actually
lack the enzyme to properly digest cow’s milk. An estimated 98 percent of Southeast Asians; 90 percent of Asian Americans; 74 percent of Native Americans; 70 percent of African Americans; and the majority of Jewish, Latino, and Indian people
suffer from lactose intolerance.
Dairy Consumption Is Linked with Increased Bone Fracture Risk
If you’re anything like me, you grew up believing that milk is essential for
strong bones. But clinical research shows that dairy products have
little, if any, positive effects on our bones. In fact, high cow’s milk intake is associated with increased risk for bone fractures and death, according to
a 2014 study in
The British Medical Journal.
Dairy Consumption May Increase the Risk of Developing Parkinson’s Disease
Back in 2017, a
Harvard University study found that consuming three or more servings of low-fat dairy each day was associated with a higher risk of being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in a large pool of U.S. men and women.
The World Health Organization Says Bacon Is a Group 1 Carcinogen
In 2015, the World Health Organization reported that
bacon and processed meats, like lunch meats and hot dogs, top the list of “Group 1
” carcinogens. Try
one of these tasty recipes the next time you have a hankering for bacon.
It’s Good Enough for Lewis Hamilton, Kyrie Irving, and Colin Kaepernick
So many
Olympians,
NFL players, and
NBA players are embracing plant-based diets these days, and it makes sense. Countless studies have shown that a vegan diet is ideal for meeting an athlete’s calorie and protein needs, and vegans typically report greater energy and speedier recovery.
Studies Show Kindness Is Good for Us
Being kind is what veganism is all about, and there are documented
health benefits to practicing kindness. Research conducted in 2017 by the Born This Way Foundation found
a direct link between kindness and good mental health, and other studies show that
practicing kindness relieves pain and decreases high blood pressure.
You’ll Most Likely Become More Regular
Plant-based diets are high in fiber, and
high-fiber diets lead to regular bowel movements. So if you’re someone who struggles with regularity, going vegan could help you.
A Vegan Diet Can Lower Stress
According to a study published in
Nutritional Neuroscience, a
vegan diet could lower your stress and anxiety levels.
Kale Is a Better Source of Calcium Than Cow’s Milk
Many vegan foods—like tofu, kale, and oats—have
more calcium than cow’s milk. Plus, as the
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine points out, “Protein from animal products is much more likely to cause calcium loss than protein from plant foods.
”
Cheese Isn’t Very Good for Us
Cheese does contain some nutrients, like B12 and calcium, but most
cheeses are also high in cholesterol, saturated fats, and complexion-wrecking hormones. And since dairy is highly acidic, eating
cheese may contribute to arthritis and chronic inflammation as well.
Vegans Are More Popular on Dating Apps
Evidently,
vegans are more popular on dating apps.
With the growing demand for plant-based options, there’s never been a better time to go vegan. And you don’t have to make the switch all on your own. For grocery shopping tips, recipe inspiration, and general support, just head over to
ChooseVeg.