Letters: Meat of the matter

With reference to the report, "Processed meat can cause cancer and red meat probably can: WHO" (October 28), some animals are natural carnivores, some herbivores and others omnivores. Humans prefer to be omnivores.

The decision to be a vegetarian or to eat meat is often a contentious and emotional one. It is more relevant to discuss whether we were evolved to be herbivores or carnivores - if nature intended us to be carnivores we would have evolved differently. We may eat meat but we are not natural carnivores. No matter how much fat natural carnivores eat they do not develop atherosclerosis, but humans do.

In the new dietary guidelines issued by the US government, vegetables and fruits are on the top of the list and are proven to prevent several illnesses. They are followed by whole grains.

Michael Pollan, the author of books such as In Defense of Food and The Omnivore's Dilemma says: "Eat food, but not too much. Mostly plants" and "If it came from a plant, eat it; if it was made in a plant, don't". These two quotes provide the answer to the often complicated and confusing question of what humans should eat to be truly healthy.

H N Ramakrishna Bengaluru

Letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:
The Editor, Business Standard
Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi 110 002
Fax: (011) 23720201
E-mail: letters@bsmail.in
All letters must have a postal address and telephone number