Introduction
Being vegan signifies a philosophy and manner of living that aims at excluding, as much as achievable, any kind of exploitation of, and cruelty against, animals for meat, clothing and other uses while promoting and calling for the utilization of animal-free options to the advantage of animals, people, and the environment. In this regard, vegans chose to desist from the consumption of meat and other animal products while upholding the principle of harmlessness that leads them not just to avoid causing harm but also doing the utmost good (Rothgerber 198). Becoming a vegan, embracing an animal-free nutritional practice, is uncommon, particularly amid the people residing in developed nations. For instance, in the US, only about 1% of the grown-up population is vegan, while 2% of the young people from eight to eighteen years of age have chosen to practice veganism. Inadequate studies have sought to research the issue of veganism. This study will discuss the positive motives and positive effects of becoming vegan.
Positive Reasons
Studies affirm that the major reasons behind becoming vegan are love to animals, health concerns, ethical issues, spiritual beliefs, dislike for animal meat and other products, and an inclination toward animal-free foods. In the majority of instances, people who choose to become vegan are the ones raised in families that consumed the meat and other animal products but someday reached the decision of going contrary to such dietary practices. Amid the most remarkable actions that one can undertake is having a considerable change to nutritional practices. The prevention of the abuse and exploitation of animals act as the greatest reason behind people choosing to become and remain vegan. The development of emotional connection with animals might strongly result in such a decision. Moreover, such a connection leads to many people believing that every animal has the right to life and liberty. In this regard, abstaining from meat and other animal products has turned out to be one of the most apparent approaches of standing against the brutality and mistreatment of animals anywhere. Therefore, choosing to become vegan illustrates genuine empathy towards animals (Rothgerber and Mican 12-16).
There are disconcerting environmental problems linked to the consumption of meat and other animal products. A wide pool of studies establishes that enhanced animal agriculture is resulting in detrimental environmental concerns, encompassing land, air, and water pollution, in addition to hastening the occurrence of climatic changes. The livestock industry has been found to be among the three greatest contributors to serious environmental challenges at every level, from local to international. The effect is exceedingly considerable that it requires being tackled with urgency. In addition, millions of animals suffer each year attributable to extensive agricultural progressions and butcher practices.
The cultivation of plants for food results in the utilization of fewer resources when judged against animal agriculture. Therefore, the choice of becoming vegan assists in greatly decreasing the negative impact on the environment (Taylor 759-762). Becoming vegan plays a key role in the reduction of the negative effects of climatic changes, damage to the rainforest, and pollution while preserving water as well as other valuable resources. In reality, animal agriculture across the globe results in higher greenhouse gas emissions when compared to all the other sources combined, for instance, vehicles, aircraft, and other modes of transportation. On this note, there has never been a better approach to going green than by becoming vegan (eating green).
Most people choose to become vegan because of their love for animals. Be it nonconsumption of meat or avoidance of other animal products, practicing veganism allows one’s conscience to rest easily (Dyett et al. 120-122). Though North America is a region that has many self-identified animal lovers, most of them are seemingly not aware of the evident contradiction involving their nutritional practices, alleged compassion for animals, and involvement in violence towards them. Nonetheless, a fascinating finding is that going vegan does not just occur as a drastic change in identity, and sudden alteration in personality does not seem to have a fundamental impact on the dietary practice.
Many people consider themselves responsive and compassionate to animal suffering prior to nutritional makeover, and such a decision of becoming vegan persists afterward. Becoming a vegan has been widely perceived as a functional approach to loving animals. The experience of becoming vegan is rewarding and gleeful and acts as a confirmatory practice that bestows a person’s life with significance. Most of the vegans affirm that their self-perception is elicited by the decision to consume foods that demonstrate the significance they place on the welfare of animals, human health, and environmental protection.
Other than just the love to animals, becoming vegan offers a person the sentiment of being attached to nature and leading a religious life (sanctity). The synchronization of vegans’ attitudes with their actions seeks to decrease cognitive dissonance. The notion of loving animals is contrary to the issue of consuming meat from animals that have been slaughtered for consumption. Vegans are convinced that a meal does not just signify food since consumption is an emblematic and practical stride on the existential process that reduces suffering and ensures that one is mindful of the wellbeing of every living being. Animals benefit greatly as progressively more people choose to become vegan. Nonetheless, since just a few people have become vegan and change is not likely to be forthcoming, billions of animals will continue to experience suffering and die brutally at the hands of human beings every year (Taylor 761-762). However, saving even a single life is laudable, and, on that note, becoming vegan makes a great difference.
Positive Outcomes
The comprehension of the positive outcomes of becoming vegan is significant since it plays a crucial role in promoting the practice amid the people contemplating its adoption and the ones who are presently vegan. Moreover, understanding the outcome assists in reducing the number of vegans who change to omnivorous practices. The major positive outcome of becoming vegan is the promotion of health. For instance, meat and other animal products are widely consumed in the US and act as sources of saturated fats and cholesterol, which result in the occurrence of diseases such as heart diseases, cancer, and stroke in human beings. Heart diseases result in the death of many people every year in the US. Moreover, heart diseases, cancer, and stroke lead to 55% of all deaths reported in America each year (Dyett et al. 121-123).
Becoming vegan decreases the likelihood of developing chronic diseases, which affect a high number of people in both developed and developing nations. In line with the arguments by Glick-Bauer and Yeh, vegan diets are beneficial to people’s heath, nutritionally sufficient, and have a crucial function in the prevention and treatment of numerous illnesses and conditions (4825-4831). Many studies on the benefits of vegan diets establish that vegans have an ideal body mass index and low cholesterol levels, as well as a moderately low risk of suffering Coronary Artery Disease when judged against their omnivorous counterparts. Vegans have been found to experience lower anxiety and distress than omnivores, which could be ascribed to healthier nutritional practices (Beezhold et al. 292-294). It is evident that vegans consume a higher level of vegetables and fruits when compared to omnivores, and these have been linked to reduced inflammation and oxidative stress, over and above improved mental health.
Conclusion
Veganism denotes a viewpoint and lifestyle that seeks to avoid the consumption of meat and other animal products while calling for the use of animal-free options. Becoming a vegan is unusual mainly amid the people residing in developed nations; for example, in the US, only approximately 1% of the grown-ups are vegans while 2% of the younger generation, from the age eight to eighteen years, practices veganism. One of the reasons of practicing veganism is to demonstrate genuine love and empathy towards animals. The decision of becoming vegan assists in significantly decreasing the unconstructive impacts on the environment as animal agriculture internationally results in greater greenhouse gas emissions than the combination of all the other sources. The main positive outcome of practicing veganism is the improvement of health. The consumption of meat and other animal products acts as a source of saturated fats and cholesterol, which lead to the incidence of diseases. Vegans have been established to experience reduced anxiety and distress when compared to omnivores.
Works Cited
Beezhold, Bonnie, Cynthia Radnitz, Amy Rinne, and Julie DiMatteo. “Vegans report less stress and anxiety than omnivores.” Nutritional neuroscience 18.7 (2015): 289-296. Print.
Dyett, Patricia, Joan Sabaté, Ella Haddad, Sujatha Rajaram, and David Shavlik. “Vegan lifestyle behaviors. An exploration of congruence with health-related beliefs and assessed health indices.” Appetite 67 (2013): 119-124. Print.
Glick-Bauer, Marian, and Ming-Chin Yeh. “The health advantage of a vegan diet: Exploring the gut microbiota connection.” Nutrients 6.11 (2014): 4822-4838. Print.
Rothgerber, Hank. “Can you have your meat and eat it too? Conscientious omnivores, vegetarians, and adherence to diet.” Appetite 84 (2015): 196-203. Print.
Rothgerber, Hank, and Frances Mican. “Childhood pet ownership, attachment to pets, and subsequent meat avoidance. The mediating role of empathy toward animals.” Appetite 79 (2014): 11-17. Print.
Taylor, Sunaura. “Vegans, freaks, and animals: Toward a new table fellowship.” American Quarterly 65.3 (2013): 757-764. Print.