The documentary “Forks Over Knives” explores the benefits of a whole foods plant-based diet. This means that the consumption of meat, dairy and processed foods are will be eliminated in the diet or at least greatly reduced. The reasoning for this is the results of a combination of studies that are explained throughout the film. The main two researchers who were involved in the making of this film were Dr. Colin Campbell and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn. They, along with many other doctors and scientists, have concluded that the protein in meat is not a necessary part of the human diet. It is harmful to consume these in large amounts as the cholesterols in the meat destroy endothelial cells which help with dilating and constricting the arteries, maintaining blood flow, eliminating inflammation and reducing plaque formation. Through research, it has been found that a whole food plant-based diet can not only halt by reverse the formation of plaque in some cases.

Additionally, meat has been linked to cancer, specifically liver cancer. A study in the late 1970s and 80s in China was published showing that districts that contained people who maintained a plant-based diet full of fruit, veggies and grains had fewer cases of stroke, heart disease, and cancer compared to the districts with people consuming large amounts of processed foods and animal products. In another study conducted in India and replicated/extended by Dr. Campbell, it was found that proteins in meat were linked to liver cancer. Rats who were fed 20% of the protein found in meat had precancerous numbers off the chart. When Dr. Campbell then fed them in three-week intervals alternating between a 20% and a 5% protein dosage, the cancer numbers would drop dramatically with the percentage of protein given and then rise when the percentage rose. This was undeniable evidence of the connection between the protein found in meat leading to liver cancer.

The documentary continues to introduce various people, including the narrator, who had an array of health issues and sought the expertise of physicians who chose to prescribe a plant-based diet. They held the philosophy of healing from the inside rather than taking pills to create change. In each of these cases, the evidence was undeniable. People were off their 3-7 pill regiment, reported greater energy levels, feeling better and weight loss.

It was that the promotion of meat and dairy being a necessity of the human diet as it was a great source of protein and calcium was the dairy industry controlling the conversation for the economic benefits it brought. Plants contain a healthier and just as beneficial form of protein that is often forgotten or disregarded. In the United States, for instance, 40% of Americans are obese, 50% are on drugs to combat the health issues that come along with this and 2.2 trillion dollars is spent annually of health care. 1 out of 3 people have diabetes and the level of children with these issues is rising. At the beginning of the 20th century, each person in the United States consumed 120 pounds of meat annually, 40 pounds of processed sugar and 294 pounds of dairy. In 2007 people consumed 222 pounds of meat, in 1999 people consumed 147 pounds of processed sugar and in 2006 people consumed 605 pounds of dairy. This staggering jump in meat, dairy and processed sugar consumption has caused health issues and environmental issues that are no longer undeniable.

Along with proving the harmful effects of meat the documentary explores the reasons for wanting these foods. It explains the motivational triad: pleasure (food and sex), avoiding pain and energy conservation. Fast foods, and foods along these lines, come with little effort, high satisfaction, but come at the price of being super-rich and calorically dense. The socioeconomic relationship to health issues is pointed out for these reasons.

There was much more discussed in the article, but these were the things that stood out the most. It is a very convincing film, one that I have seen before, but the second time was just as convincing. I know when I eat super greasy, rich, fatty foods for more than a few days in a row I feel physically ill. I always say, “I feel like my veins are full of salt”. Naturally, I have always craved healthier options after a few days of eating not so healthy things, but this film made me understand and think more about the repercussions of having sustained meat, dairy and processed food diet. I am guilty of overindulging in all of the areas, so in the future, I am hoping to make an effort to slowly reduce each of these areas. I have recently become lactose intolerant so that has helped reduce my dairy intake by A LOT. Now I must tackle the processed foods and meat… wish me luck!