Encyclopedia of Opinion

Question: Should you go vegan?
Position‹2 of 2: Eating animal products is unethical
Argument‹4 of 5›: Eating meat can lead to health problems

Fatty meat can lead to high cholesterol and obesity, both things that contribute to heart disease

The argument

Studies suggest that high levels of saturated fat - predominantly found in meat - lead to high blood pressure due to clogging arteries, and an increase in cholesterol and potential obesity. These things make us much more prone to heart disease. Also, high levels of a gut-generated chemical called trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) in red meat is shown to be linked to heart disease.

Premises

[P1]Meat contains high levels of saturated fat and TMAO, which clog arteries, raise cholesterol, and are linked to heart disease. [P2] Avoiding these health harms is a strong reason to stop eating animal products. [C] Therefore, you should go vegan because eating meat causes serious health problems.

Counter-arguments

While these risks increase if you eat meat, the health repercussions of not eating meat are far worse, it is difficult for humans to maintain a healthy lifestyle without the steady income of protein and other things gained mostly by meat. Although Beans and Lentils and other pulses also contain protein the amount we need to ingest to maintain a healthy level of protein is much higher and nearly unachievable.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P1] The health benefits of eating meat outweigh the cons.