Vegetarianism — a small choice that has a big impact

Vegetarianism, first recorded in ancient India and Greece, is closely connected with the idea of non-violence, and has been promoted by religious groups and philosophers.

- B.K. USHA

Vegetarianism, first recorded in ancient India and Greece, is closely connected with the idea of non-violence, and has been promoted by religious groups and philosophers. Until some decades ago, it was regarded by many people as little more than a fad, but has since gained acceptance the world over as a healthy alternative to meat-based diets.

Scientific studies have established the positive effects of a vegetarian diet on health. They have found that body mass index, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure are usually on the lower side in vegetarians, who also have lower incidence of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's Disease, and other ailments. Meat-based diets, on the other hand, have been found to be directly associated with increased risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease.