(NaturalNews) Yet another reason to remove meat from diets has surfaced, this time from a study that identified the most environmentally harmful animal product in the American diet as beef. (1) The study, which was conducted as part of a collaborative effort from several respectable institutions, aimed to show that "current US farm policies and agrotechnology... can change markedly in response to changes in agricultural technology and practice, national policies, and personal choice." (1)

The authors concluded that just one calorie of beef uses 11 times the amount of water and six times more nitrogen fertilizer than the other animal products, showing how beef production produces more greenhouse gas emissions than pork, poultry or eggs. (1)

Why not eating beef helps the environment and physical health

By making this awareness top-of-mind, the thought is that better use can be made of land by no longer engaging in cattle farming in dry areas and, instead, allowing such lands to naturally develop into the wildlife habitats they were intended to be. Additionally, the majority of land could be used more wisely so that crops can be grown that not only are healthier but also take up significantly less resources on a per-calorie basis. (1)

Avoiding meats such as beef helps the environment as well as a person's health. For example, a recent study done by the Loma Linda University School of Public Health in California found that meat-eaters' mortality rates were almost 20 percent higher than vegetarians or even semi-vegetarians. (2) It was also found that a vegetarian diet leads to almost one-third less emissions compared to non-vegetarian diets, a discovery that reinforces the link between what people eat and the impact on the environment.

Meat not necessary to obtain proper nutrients

Many who are hesitant to adopt a diet that includes more fruits and vegetables often cite nutritional deficiencies as a reason behind their meat-eating behaviors. However, research has found that diets rich in raw vegetables and salads do not deplete levels of vitamin C, lycopene or folic acid, all of which play a role in cancer prevention, improved muscle health and a bolstered immune system. (3)

Of course, dietary lifestyle is a choice based on a variety of preferences. But time and again, studies surface that reinforce the health hazards -- both environmental and physical -- of consuming meat products and prove that eating more fruits and vegetables, instead, is essential for the health of humans and the planet.

Sources for this article include:

(1) http://www.treehugger.com

(2) http://www.naturalnews.com

(3) http://www.naturalnews.com

http://science.naturalnews.com

About the author:
Raw Michelle is a natural health blogger and researcher, sharing her passions with others, using the Internet as her medium. She discusses topics in a straight forward way in hopes to help people from all walks of life achieve optimal health and well-being. She has authored and published hundreds of articles on topics such as the raw food diet and green living in general. >>> Click here to see more by Michelle