Bad News for Vegans
I don't put much stock in studies such as this, but since animal rights activists are ever about the purported unhealthful nature of meat, it may be that tofu increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease. From the story:
Don't expect this study to be posted on PETA's Web site.Eating high levels of some soy products - including tofu - may raise the risk of memory loss, research suggests. The study focused on 719 elderly Indonesians living in urban and rural regions of Java. The researchers found high tofu consumption--at least once a day--was associated with worse memory, particularly among the over-68s. The Loughborough University-led study features in the journal Dementias and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders. Soy products are a major alternative protein source to meat for many people in the developing world...
Soy products are rich in micronutrients called phytoestrogens, which mimic the impact of the female sex hormone oestrogen. There is some evidence that they may protect the brains of younger and middle-aged people from damage--but their effect on the ageing brain is less clear. The latest study suggests phytoestrogens --in high quantity--may actually heighten the risk of dementia.
Labels: Veganism.
posted by Wesley J. Smith @ 8:38 AM
2 Comments
2 Comments:
Low blow. Animal-rightsy vegetarians & vegans are going off-topic when they talk about the health benefits of their diets. And your dispute with them is entirely on the animal-rightsy part of the argument, not the health part. So why even publicize this study on your blog? Especially given that the authenticity of its findings is — as you note — dubious.
I was going to accuse you of stooping to the level of your opponents, but I think it's actually worse than that. Vegetarians and vegans don't tout the health of their diets in order to attack, but rather in order to give an additional reason to switch over. At best, this post might take away that extra reason to be a vegan/vegetarian. But you don't actually oppose the adoption of those diets, do you? You don't even object to people who are concerned about the treatment of animals, so long as their concern doesn't arise from an animal-rightsy sort of ideology. So why attack irrelevant features of the vegan/vegetarian diets? Just 'cause you can?
Now, now duckrabbit: I was just giving back some of what I receive--tongue firmly planted in cheek. Animal rigths advocates most certainly do attack the healthiness of an omniverous diet, and tout the superiority of a vegan diet. And your objection is precisely the point: The moment a study shows meat "causes cancer" or any other supposed condition, PETA types spread it far and wide. That is why I put in the last line. Also note that I stated clearly that I don't put much stock in such stories, also revealing my purpose.
The intent was to teach by counter example.
And, of course, I don't care if people are vegan or veggie. Indeed, I think refusing natural food for ethical reasons is distinctly and uniquely a human thing to do, e.g. it is exceptional!
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