Meat-eaters are 19% more likely to die from heart disease than vegetarians, according to a recent study – and animal rights charity PETA is hammering home that message in Manchester.
The research, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association also suggests that during the period of study vegetarians were 12% less likely to die overall.
The vegan group is planning a new anti-meat billboard in light of the shocking revelation by Public Health England that labels Manchester with the worst premature death statistics in the country.
The advertisement, featuring a coffin-shaped meat pie, will read: ‘Not Ready to Meat Your Maker? Fight Obesity: Go Vegan’.
Yvonne Taylor, of PETA, said: “PETA’s new billboard highlights how meat pies and pasties have been linked to obesity and other life-threatening illnesses.
“The best thing that coffin dodgers can do for their health and to help animals is to go vegan.”
The Department of Health has also recently advised Britons to eat less meat in order to decrease their chances of cancer.
Medical expert and author Dr Bashir Qureshi said that eating meat every day would constitute a serious health risk.
He added: “In large amounts, any food and medicine can have adverse effects.
“According to scientific research, excess of meat eating can lead to hypertension, coronary heart disease, large bowel disorders, gall stones and obesity.”
However, he insisted that meat in small amounts is a part of scientifically recommended balanced diet which is essential for human survival.
“Eating no meat diet can lead to emaciation and Vitamin B12 deficiency which can induce megaloblastic anaemia,” he said.
Research by The British Medical Association also suggested by switching eating habits away from meat, cholesterol can be lowered.
At the same time, there is evidence that instances of high blood pressure, bowel disorders and gallstones are less in vegetarians.
Dr Qureshi said: “It is important that meat-eaters should limit their meat intake according to their individual body requirements.”
Picture courtesy of Powerplantop, with thanks.
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