Nutrition Point 小編・Jun 26,2021

香港人素食原因:健康與環境保育

素食原因

香港人一向被稱為「食肉獸」,根據香港大學在2018年的環境科學研究報告,港人每天的食肉數量相於兩塊十安士的牛扒,是世界上其中一個食用肉類最高的地區。除了宗教信仰外,仍然有不少人從無肉不歡轉為投向素食的懷抱,到底是什麼因素而引致他們成為素食者呢?

Quick Answer

Many people in Hong Kong adopt vegetarianism primarily for health reasons, such as managing weight, improving cardiovascular health, and reducing the risk of conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes. A plant-based diet, rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, and nuts, provides essential nutrients like Vitamin C, folate, potassium, and omega-3 fatty acids from sources like chia seeds, which aid in gut health and reduce inflammation. Beyond personal health, a significant driver for vegetarianism is environmental conservation, as reducing meat consumption helps decrease greenhouse gas emissions. According to a 2015 Hong Kong government survey, if citizens reduce meat or adopt a vegetarian diet, meat-related carbon emissions can decrease by 67%, leading to a 43% reduction in the city's total greenhouse gas emissions.

一、健康因素

老實說,不少人因為體重和身體狀況而改為素食,例如高血壓、癡肥、心血管疾病等人士,他們都會認為素食能減少攝取脂肪和膽固醇,有助改善心血管疾病、高血壓和糖尿病的問題。再者,素食者一般以蔬菜、水果、豆類、果仁、五穀雜糧為主食,以奇亞籽(chia seed)為例,它含有豐富的膳食纖維和脂肪,不但能幫助腸道蠕動來改善便秘問題,更能夠為身體提供alpha-亞麻酸(omega3的一種,屬好脂肪),有助減低發炎誘因和維持心臟健康。素食者的餐單大多含有豐富的營養價值,例如蔬果含有維他命C、葉酸和堅果含鉀及銅等,能令我們的身體吸收更多營養素,令我們變得更健康。

二、環境保育

減少吃肉除了可以幫助改善健康問題外,亦可以幫忙減少溫室氣體排放量,有助達至全球共同減排的目標,根據香港政府在2015年的調查,香港的溫室排放總量為41.6百萬噸,為全球軍訓式氣體排放量的第七位。若市民減少吃肉或改為執行素食餐單,肉類的碳排放量可減少67%,而全港的溫室氣體排放量亦可下降43%。世界上不少名人成為素食者的原因也是因為環境保育問題,例如Brad Pitt和 Mike Tyson,而他們的粉絲也了解到原因後成為素食者,能幫助減少全球碳排放量。

綜合以上原因,我們可得知素食的好處。這篇文章並不要求大家立刻變成素食者,但可以嘗試在一星期中挑選一兩天為素食日;並在平時減少食肉,便可令身體變得健康和改善環境問題。

參考資料

Appleby, P. N., & Key, T. J. (2016). The long-term health of vegetarians and vegans. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 75(3), 287-293.

De Falco, B., Amato, M., & Lanzotti, V. (2017). Chia seeds products: an overview. Phytochemistry Reviews, 16(4), 745-760.

Lusk, J. L., & Norwood, F. B. (2009). Some economic benefits and costs of vegetarianism. Agricultural and Resource Economics Review, 38(1203-2016-95232), 109-124.

香港大學 (2018年5月30日)。<港大環境科學研究發現香港人嗜肉致成全球人均最高碳排放地之一> 。新聞稿。取自 https://www.hku.hk/press/press-releases/detail/c_17940.html

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Frequently Asked Questions

1 How can a vegetarian diet help with weight management and reducing fat intake?

The page states that many people adopt vegetarianism for weight management and to improve body conditions. A vegetarian diet can help reduce the intake of fat and cholesterol, which is beneficial for managing weight and improving conditions like obesity. It emphasizes plant-based foods like vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and whole grains.

2 What are the specific health benefits of a vegetarian diet for conditions like high blood pressure or heart health?

The article highlights that a vegetarian diet can reduce fat and cholesterol intake, which helps improve cardiovascular diseases and high blood pressure. Plant-based foods like chia seeds provide dietary fiber for gut health and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3), which helps reduce inflammation and maintain heart health.

3 What key nutrients can be obtained from a vegetarian diet?

A vegetarian diet is rich in various nutrients. The page mentions that fruits and vegetables provide Vitamin C and folate, while nuts are good sources of potassium and copper. Chia seeds are also highlighted for their dietary fiber and omega-3 fatty acids.

4 How does adopting a vegetarian diet contribute to environmental conservation?

The article explains that reducing meat consumption helps decrease greenhouse gas emissions, supporting global efforts to reduce carbon footprints. It notes that if people reduce meat or adopt a vegetarian diet, carbon emissions from meat production can be significantly reduced, leading to a substantial decrease in overall greenhouse gas emissions.