Vegetarian diet prevents health problems

"The benefits of vegetarian food arise from lower intakes of saturated fat, cholesterol and animal protein as well as higher intakes of complex carbohydrates dietary fibre, rich in micronutrients like Magnesium, folic acid, vitamin C and E, carotenoids and other phytochemicals," Nadda told Lok Sabha in a written reply to a question regarding a report saying that vegetarian food is healthier than non-vegetarian.

"Scientific evidence indicate that vegetarian diets are beneficial in the prevention and control of certain diseases like cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, renal disease and dementia, as well as intestinal disease, gallstones and constipation," he said.

Under government's National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, one the important activity is to promote behaviour change and consumption of healthy food (more vegetables, fruits, grains and less of sugar, salt and fat) to prevent and control non-communicable diseases, he said.