Things That Could Happen If You Eat Too Much Meat
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Lately, a lot of people have been switching to a more plant-based diet as instances of animal cruelty, health risks, etc. increase. For this very reason, veganism is growing at a steady rate. With celebrity endorsements and tonnes of major companies providing its customers with vegan alternatives, it’s no wonder that people are deciding to make the switch. While giving up meat altogether might not be everybody’s cup of tea, if you notice the following changes in your body, it might be a sign for you to cut back on meat. Read on to find out more about consuming meat:
1. You Could Be At A High Risk For Heart Disease
Eating excessive amounts of red meat can increase your risk of developing heart disease. Red meat contains massive amounts of saturated fats which raises the bad cholesterol in your bloodstream. This with a lack of a heavy fiber diet can increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer as well. According to a study conducted at Harvard University, eating red meat can raise your chances of dying prematurely by a staggering thirteen to twenty percent (1).
2. You Could Suffer From Constipation
Meat lacks a sufficient amount of fiber and hence takes longer to process and digest compared to fruits and vegetables. This can eventually lead to painful and difficult bowel movements. Eating regular carbs like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are some of the best ways to get fiber and nutrients as well.
3. You Might Have Excessive Weight Gain
Everyone knows that protein is extremely important when it comes to building muscle. This is because the body relies on protein in order to rebuild and fix the muscles when they tear. However, if you do not get the right amount of exercise, this can have a negative effect on your body. And, as an undesired side effect, you start storing the protein as fat. Eating a lot of protein won’t do you any good unless you are athletic by nature and go out of your way to keep fit.
4. You Could Risk Developing Kidney Stones
Eating excessive amounts of protein could also increase your risk of developing kidney stones. Proteins gained out of meat contain compounds called purines that break down into toxic waste like uric acid. Too much uric acid can take a toll on your kidneys and risk the chance of developing kidney stones. It’s not a very common condition, but those who have a history of kidney stones in their families need to be a little extra vary of consuming excessive amounts of meat (2).
5. Your Body Will Have To Fight Off Inflammation
Saturated fats that are present in meat can boost inflammation in the body, according to research (3). Most doctors recommend a ‘colorful diet’ that does different things and benefits the body in different ways. A colorful diet consists of fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants and other healthy nutrients that the body requires in order to function.
6. You Have A Higher Risk Of Falling Sick
Depending on where you source your meat products from, there could be different ways to clean it. There’s also the problem of a lack of vitamin C in your diet. If you’re on a Keto diet, you’re probably not getting a lot of fruits as fruits have carbs, and Keto means no carbs. Luckily you can get the nutrients you need from fruits too.
7. Hair And Skin Might Start Getting Affected
Overdoing meat products would not leave a lot of space in your stomach for other healthy nutrients and vitamins on the food pyramid. Vitamin C plays a significant role in forming collagen, a protein that gives structure to skin, hair, nails, bones and more. If you suffer from some form of deficiency, you might start to notice specific changes in your body and skin. Many people believe that switching to a plant-based diet has a positive effect on your skin, including clearing up acne and more.
8. You Start To Get Sleepy
There’s a reason why you have a hard time closing your eyes when you need to go to sleep. Protein is a provider of energy, but consuming excessive amounts of it can leave you feeling heavy and sleepy (4). The body takes longer to break down meat and protein, hence it uses a lot of energy in the process. Because of this, you won’t get an immediate energy boost. Carbohydrates are known for breaking down the body’s most readily available energy source, glucose. Since your brain can only use glucose for energy, its supply can lag a tad bit if your diet features excessive amounts of protein.
What do you think? Do you think you would be able to make the switch and completely give up meat? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
