# Vegetarianism By [Green Soul](https://paragraph.com/@green-soul) ยท 2023-04-02 --- Vegetarianism: history, types and benefits Vegetarianism is a diet that eliminates animal products. People follow this diet for a variety of reasons, including ethical, religious, environmental and health reasons. In this article we will look at the history, types and benefits of vegetarianism. History of vegetarianism The idea of vegetarianism is not new and dates back several centuries. It was first mentioned in ancient times, when the philosophers Pythagoras and Plato favoured plant-based foods. Subsequently, vegetarianism was practised in various religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Today, vegetarianism is practised worldwide and is gaining in popularity, especially due to the growing interest in healthy lifestyles and environmental issues. Types of vegetarianism There are several types of vegetarianism, which differ in the level of exclusion of animal products: Strict vegetarians (vegans) exclude all animal products, including dairy, eggs, honey and others; Lactose vegetarians - exclude meat, fish and eggs, but consume dairy products; Ovolacto vegetarians - exclude meat and fish, but consume eggs and dairy products. The benefits of vegetarianism A vegetarian diet has a number of health benefits, including Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease; Reduced risk of cancer; Reduced cholesterol and blood pressure; Improved metabolism and general body condition. --- *Originally published on [Green Soul](https://paragraph.com/@green-soul/vegetarianism)*