3--The Persuasive - Research Paper Example

The champions of vegetarianism are so convinced of the benefits of vegetarianism that some of them even advocate that it should be made compulsory. However, although its practitioners put forward many arguments in favor of vegetarianism, none of these are strong or conclusive enough to warrant such an extreme stand. The two major arguments advocated in favor of vegetarianism center round the health benefits of avoiding meat and cruelty to animals. Both these arguments are refutable and open to debate.

The primary health-centered argument advanced by vegetarians is that a vegetable based diet has major health benefits, when compared to an animal based diet. It can readily be conceded that the phytochemicals and antioxidants found primarily in fruits and vegetables help the body combat heart disease and cancer. The high fiber content of vegetables and fruits further aid in digestion and protect against disease. However, it must also be conceded that a vegetarian diet is deficient in protein, essential amino-acids, calcium, iron, zinc and vitamin B-12.

Studies published in 1988 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition “concluded that elderly people also should be especially cautious about adopting vegetarian diets” (Health Response Ability Systems). . Price Foundation). Soy is to be consumed in small quantities and cannot be treated as a generous substitute for animal protein. The second health-centered argument in favor of vegetarianism is that the consumption of animal-based products leads to several diseases, particularly cancer, atherosclerosis, obesity and diabetes.

This is attributed to the dietary cholesterol and saturated fats found in animal products. However, it is relevant to note that these diseases for the most part are fairly recent, twentieth-century phenomena, while mankind has been consuming animal products from primitive times. This strongly suggests that extraneous variables, such as food processing, methods of cooking, indulgence in tobacco, alcohol and caffeine, consumption of trans-fatty acids (which are found in margarine and vegetable shortening), and the excessive intake of sugar and carbohydrates may be the actual culprits, in combination with lifestyle factors, including lack of physical exercise, stress and pollution. (Byrnes). It is processed, ‘junk food’ which should be banned and not meat eating.

After all, a plate of French fries is as healthy as a hamburger! Thirdly, the advocates of vegetarianism hold that eating animal-based products is hazardous to health as the administration of growth hormones and antibiotics to animal fodder and the contamination of fish by mercury lead to the ingestion of toxins by humans. Inadequate cooking of meat poses the risk of food poisoning. This argument can be countered by the fact that the consumption of genetically modified crops and pesticide contaminated vegetables poses an equal health hazard.

Vegetables and fruits can be contaminated by infection causing listerium