In a heartwarming initiative just in time for Valentine’s Day, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India has unveiled life-saving billboards outside hospitals in Pune and other cities across India. The message encourages passers-by to consider the impact of their food choices on heart health, advocating for a vegan lifestyle to avoid the risk of heart disease associated with consuming meat, eggs, and dairy.
Situated in Prathamesh Park, Baner, Pune, the billboard emphasizes that opting for vegan foods can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease by up to 52%. India, known as the chronic heart disease capital of the world, contributes at least one-fifth of global deaths from heart disease.
PETA India’s Manager of Vegan Projects, Dr. Kiran Ahuja, highlights the shared capacity for pain, fear, love, and the value of life among all animals, emphasizing the call to show love not only to oneself but also to animals by choosing delicious, heart-healthy vegan meals this Valentine’s Day.
The Indian Heart Association reports that more than 50% of heart attacks in Indian men occur in those under 50, with 25% occurring in men under 40. Nutritionists at the US Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggest that individuals who adopt a vegan lifestyle can reduce their risk of diabetes by up to 62% and their risk of all types of cancer by 18%, contributing to overall heart health.
Moreover, each person who adopts a vegan lifestyle spares up to 200 animals a year from a life of suffering and a violent death in the meat, egg, and dairy industries. PETA’s campaign sheds light on the harsh conditions faced by animals in these industries, urging people to make compassionate choices.
