Fruitarian | Fruitarian Diet

If you have been keeping up with health reports or the diet of your health buff friends, you may notice that those who are concerned with their health try to reduce the amount of red meat they ingest. There is a leaning towards the healthier white meat, such as chicken. This is because studies have found a link between red meat and hypertension. Hypertension, in turn, has been the cause of many health-related deaths. It can lead to stroke and heart disease, either of which may result to death. The problem with hypertension is that you cannot observe tangible symptoms. If you do not have regular checkups, you may not find out that you have hypertension until it is way too late.

Why red meat is linked to hypertension

People who have been taking bigger amounts of red meat are linked to more health-related deaths than those who abstain from or at least eat only small portions of red meat. They are also most likely to develop hypertension. There are many possible reasons behind the development of hypertension. Some of these reasons are high cholesterol and high sodium intake. Unfortunately, red meat contains high cholesterol and are often flavored with salt and other seasonings containing salt. Plus, there is also such a thing as primary hypertension. This gene-related hypertension can strike a person who does not eat a lot of red meat. Red meat, however, aggravates the situation with its high cholesterol and fat content.

Fruitarianism as an alternative diet when dealing with hypertension

When you already have hypertension, you may be both scared of and tempted to eat red meat. You can try to find alternatives to such a high cholesterol diet. One of the suggestions of some is fruitarianism. Fruitarianism, as with vegetarianism’s vegetable only diet, is the practice of ingesting only fruits. Some critics of this practice, however, point out that anything excessive is wrong for the body. While it is good to eat plenty of fruits, eating nothing else but fruits can significantly stunt growth in children and can weaken the muscles of adults. Fruitarians, however, are insistent that their diet cleanses them of toxins and prevents a lot of diseases. Nutritionists, on the other hand, cannot help but be concerned about the lack in variety and the excess of sugar in the fruitarian diet.

Everyone should be vigilant about the traitorous condition called hypertension. Symptoms usually show up when well-being is already very much compromised. Some people are more likely to become hypertensive, based on their family tree. Some develop hypertension as a result of their high cholesterol and salt-rich diets. Alternative diets that can ultimately subtract red meat from the equation, such as fruitarianism, are being recommended. These diets are being praised and criticized simultaneously.

Related questions:

1. What are other alternative diets, aside from fruitarianism, that can help prevent hypertension?
2. Is it enough to reduce your red meat and salt intake to prevent hypertension?
3 Based on studies, is the link between red meat and hypertension strong enough?

Red meat has continually been under fire for posing health risks to its consumers. Known for its heavy fat content and unhealthy cholesterol, red meat is surely a diet hazard. Have you ever wondered why all sorts of illnesses seem to be popping up here and there today? This is because people are becoming more dependent on red meat and processed foods for nourishment and satisfaction. There was a time when people ate more plant foods, or plants that get their energy direct from the sun. These foods are healthier and safe. A shift to a red meat-rich diet has introduced higher levels of fat into the body. A body saturated with fats is more prone to heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and even hormonal imbalance.

Red meat and risks of getting heart disease and diabetes

The link between red meat and hypertension has been discovered. When the arteries have been clogged with fats, it gets difficult for the heart to pump blood. This causes high blood pressure or hypertension. If you are not taking the steps to improve your health or are not taking any medication, your hypertension can develop into heart disease. You may even suffer a stroke. With heart disease, you could find yourself with more food restrictions. Fatty foods, as well as sugary ones, can also cause Type 2 diabetes. With diabetes, your diet will be further restricted. So it is much better to consume red meat in smaller amounts than to live with a serious disease and a much stricter diet.

Red meat and cancer and hormonal imbalance

Cancer is also another effect of too much red meat in the diet. Red meat and processed foods are said to contain plenty of carcinogens. Studies have proven that red meat has a hand in increasing the incidence of cancerous tumors. It seems that red meat is wreaking havoc on your body. Red meat is also said to cause hormonal imbalance. Anyway, both cancer and hormonal imbalance are about detrimental changes in the body’s chemistry.

Eating red meat from time to time may not be that harmful. You could use healthier cooking techniques, such as steaming and roasting. However, saturating your diet with red meat can cause all sorts of serious diseases.

Related Questions:

1. What are other diseases that can develop through a red meat-rich diet?
2. What is it with red meat that makes it a health hazard?
3. What is the similarity between cancer and hormonal imbalance?

In this day and age, many cultures have come to accept and embrace meat as a staple food source.  In fact, meat has become such a regular part of the human diet that many of the meals we have during celebrations and holidays consist of meat.  Thanksgiving turkeys, Christmas hams, summer barbecues, and New Year pork dishes are just some of the many meaty celebrations that are enjoyed worldwide.  But how did meat become such a regular part of our diet if humans are not naturally designed for consuming meat?

The introduction of meat to our diet

Long before pre-historic man started eating meat, his diet consisted mainly of vegetarian foods.  Plants, nuts, berries, grains, beans, fruits, and other vegetation were the main sources of food for these gatherers and foragers.  Humans first started eating meat out of necessity.  In areas where vegetation was scarce, primitive man needed to look for other food sources, so he turned to meat.  Meat provided early humans with a source of fat and, in turn, energy to survive and thrive even in the most barren landscapes.

From necessity to luxury

Man first turned to meat out of necessity, but it was understood that, in order to get meat, they needed to take the life of an animal.  For this reason, meat was often viewed as a privilege and a blessing.  In fact, many cultures view the process of killing an animal, cooking it, and consuming it as a spiritual act.  Meat quickly became associated with feasts, celebrations, and rituals.  Clans, tribes, and families would slowly shift from a purely vegetarian diet, consisting of a hunting-gathering nature, to a more carnivorous diet that was centered more on hunting.  Because clans and tribes would often hunt together, so too would the preparation and eating of the meat be a social activity.  Today, although many of us no longer have to hunt for our own meat, we still view meat as an important part of social celebrations.

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