Eating vegan not only reflects compassion towards billions of animals in the agriculture industry but also offers significant health benefits. Numerous studies have linked vegan eating to lower BMI, reduced obesity rates, and healthier blood pressure levels. Moreover, veganism is associated with a decreased risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Embracing veganism is not only about ethical considerations to help animals and build a movement to boycott animal agriculture; it's a holistic win-win for individual well-being.
The American Heart Association (AHA), a trusted organization with a century-long legacy, champions the consumption of vegan foods based on its scientific research. Their mission is “to be a relentless force for longer, healthier lives.” They regularly publish scientific research and make recommendations for a healthier diet and lifestyle. Here are some key findings they've shared in recent years:
The AHA’s research and recommendations also advise against the consumption of meat, especially red meat. Here’s some of what they’ve had to say about the risks associated with eating meat:
So why then do they also endorse meat products through their Heart-Check Certification Program? The AHA says that “the Heart-Check mark makes it easy to spot heart-healthy foods in the grocery store.” They proclaim that “not all heart-healthy claims you see are from the American Heart Association: look for the AHA name to be sure.”
Confused? There’s a simple reason why the AHA is so contradictory, saying on one hand that meat should be avoided to decrease the likelihood of heart disease and other conditions, while on the other hand endorsing meat products. The reason is this - they hand out the Heart-Check mark to meat producers in exchange for a fee.
Money talks, and the AHA puts their pocketbooks ahead of their own research and above their mission to provide information to guide people to make healthy choices. Not only are they harming people who trust their word, they’re also harming animals and creating barriers to the compassionate people choosing vegan for the animals and who may have concerns over whether it’s healthy to do so. Instead the AHA should be clear that choosing vegan eating is making a science-backed, healthier choice.
Don’t believe the AHA’s lies. Leaving animals off your plate protects animals and is better for health. For information on how to make better choices for animals, and for yourself, visit TryVeg.com. Help us build a vegan world.
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