(NaturalNews) There has been recent reports in the news claiming vegetarianism has a negative impact on health and people in a number of ways. However, though some studies validate one argument, there is always another to invalidate the prior. Motives and bias in reports are often speculated, but one known fact that has been proven true over a number of years is that vegetarianism is really is healthy.

A diet of vegetables and protein is just one part of a healthy lifestyle. Protein, despite popular belief, can come from many sources like peanuts and tofu. Though diet plays one of the leading roles in health, other factors greatly contribute to metabolism and weight management.

The Chicago Tribune recently cited a study that discovered early exposure to light is associated with a lower body mass index (BMI). The BMI specifically measures a person's height and weight, categorizing a person as underweight, average, overweight, or obese.

This means, night owls could be more likely to have a slower metabolism. An early morning and a vegetarian diet combined, has been suggested highly beneficial with lasting effects.

Another substantiated belief is that women who drink alcohol (mainly red wine and in moderation) are less likely to gain weight, but more likely to lose weight. The comparison group did not report drinking any alcohol. This was a 13-year study of around 20,000 subjects, conducted by Dr. Lu Wang with Preventive Medicine and Aging, a medical division in Brigham. Some women were expected to have cut calories in order to drink and maintain their "figure," which could have influenced the study results.

However, the social drinker proved 30 percent less likely to gain weight in this study. The researchers also described how wine can speed up metabolism. Though alcohol is not typically recommended, other routines in a daily lifestyle can promote health and longevity.

The truth is...

The recent buzz alleges that a vegetarian diet influences the body's health in a detrimental way. Researchers at Brown University, however, have long proven that vegetarians are actually less likely to develop cancer. The American Dietetic Association also found that vegetarians have a lower risk of developing colorectal cancer, breast cancer, diabetes, ovarian cancer, hypertension or high blood pressure, and obesity.

Research will continue to go back and forth in support of, or in stark contrast to, current health trends. Though some claim it may not be wise to side with any one school of thought, new information should always be taken with a grain of salt. There is much support backing a vegetarian diet, and a little red wine, while and an early routine can add the right kind of edge a person may need.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.chicagotribune.com

http://healthyliving.azcentral.com/lose-bmi-fastest-6923.html

http://www.brown.edu

About the author:
Lindsey Alexander, contributor of health news and information