Never eating meat, what impact does it have on the body?

Meat is one of the best sources of protein, fat, and vitamins and minerals for the body. However, not a few avoid its consumption because they think that a meat-free diet is healthier. However, what happens to your body if you never eat meat?

The effect on the body if you never eat meat

Citing Qi Sun, MD, an assistant professor of nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, following a vegetarian diet is actually not harmful to the body. A meat-free diet can even lower the risk of a number of diseases.

However, there are nutrients found only in meat. Some of these nutrients include vitamin B12, creatinine, carnosine, taurine, and heme iron.

Some plant-based products do have nutritional substitutes, but they are not sufficient to meet your needs.

The side effect of never eating meat usually occurs when you are severely deprived of a certain type of nutrient. Some of the effects that occur on the body include:

1. Protein deficiency

Vegetable foods such as nuts, seeds, mushrooms, and even meat made from gluten are actually good sources of protein.

However, you must eat them in the right amount so that the body does not lack protein. Even mild protein deficiency can cause a number of health problems.

For example, muscle weakness, decreased blood pressure and heart rate, anemia, liver disorders, and impaired absorption of vitamins and minerals.

2. Hair loss

In addition to protein deficiency, people who never eat meat are also at risk for deficiency of iron, B vitamins, and zinc.

All of these nutrients are essential for hair growth. Lack of intake can cause hair loss.

Iron is actually available in green leafy vegetables and dried beans. Unfortunately, iron absorption from vegetable sources is more difficult than from meat.

That is why people on a vegan diet usually need iron supplements.

3. Bone density is reduced

If you never eat meat, your bones may not get enough of the vitamins and minerals they need to maintain their density.

In fact, your bones are also at risk of decreasing density as you get older.

One study found that vegetarian dieters had 4% lower bone density than people who ate meat.

Vegan dieters have an even lower bone density 6% lower than they should.

4. Lack of energy

The energy in meat comes from protein and fat. Eating meat will provide you with the energy you need to be active and carry out bodily functions. In addition, it is easier for you to feel full after eating meat.

On the other hand, vegetables are food items with little energy content. To prevent the body from lack of energy, you must eat lots of vegetables and plant foods that can contribute energy.

5. Vitamin B12 deficiency

The body needs vitamin B12 to make red blood cells and maintain the nervous system. People who never eat meat are at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency because this vitamin can only be obtained through food and supplements.

Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include fatigue, difficulty concentrating, balance disturbances, and numbness and a tingling sensation in the limbs. You are also more at risk of developing anemia if you are deficient in this vitamin.

A meat-free diet will deprive you of several important nutrients. As a result, your body can experience health problems accompanied by an increased risk of a number of diseases.

However, a vegetarian or vegan diet is not necessarily a health hazard as long as you are able to meet the nutritional needs of supplements.

Don't forget, you also have to get checked out regularly to detect deficiencies in certain nutrients.