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6 EASTERN HORIZON | LEAD ARTICLE

1980s onwards. Other traditions, The concept highlights several beverages contribute to organ
such as Theravada, also exist but are key issues, including the need degeneration, particularly
less well-known. to reduce the consumption of neurodegeneration, and can
red meat and animal-based increase the risk of tumors
Many people seek Buddhism to products. In today’s world, we and cancer. Nutritional science
explore mindfulness meditation, must consider sustainability and clearly advises against the
a global wellness trend that the environmental impact of our consumption of alcohol, even in
incorporates aspects of Buddhist dietary choices. Avoiding animal- small amounts.
meditation. based foods is not only a matter
of personal health but also of Instead, today we are
You graduated in Buddhist recognizing our interdependence emphasizing the benefits of
Religious Science from the with the planet and promoting positive lifestyle changes:
Pramana Institute. Can you share balance within the ecosystem. adopting a plant-based diet,
briefly the course you took and engaging in regular physical
the nature of the institute? While there are some medical activity, ensuring quality sleep,

conditions or individual and managing stress and anxiety.
I spent 8 years studying, and now physiological needs that may
I am beginning my Master’s in require the consumption of meat, Some Buddhist monastics
Buddhist Studies. During this time, these cases are relatively rare. For avoid certain vegetables such
I studied the Three Baskets of the majority of people, a plant- as shallot, leek, and garlic as
Teachings and many foundational based diet is a healthier, more they are believed to excite the
texts, including Lama Tsongkhapa’s sustainable option. In Brazil, ABESO senses, including sexual urges.
Lamrim Chenmo. I also had (the Brazilian Association for the Is there a scientific basis to
the great privilege of studying Study of Obesity and Metabolic this belief?
alongside nuns and monks, Syndrome) strongly advocates for
which made the Vinaya classes plant-based diets as an inclusive In general, we know that
particularly meaningful for me. approach to preventing and treating certain foods can disrupt the
chronic diseases, such as obesity. body’s balance. It’s important
As a nutritionist and food to recognize that there are also
scientist, what do you think are Buddhists are to refrain from foods that interact positively with
the benefits of following a pure drinking alcohol as stated in the our bodies and support our goals.
vegetarian diet that many people Five Precepts. However, do you In Western nutritional sciences,
today follow? think a certain amount of alcohol, we discuss foods that are
like red wine, is necessary for the thermogenic, as well as those that
Today, we are talking about the health of our heart as claimed by influence libido or even affect
concept of the Global Syndemic. This certain doctors? the intensity of our thoughts.
term was introduced in 2019 in Today, we know that food alters
the report The Global Syndemic of Today, we will no longer focus on the gut microbiota, which in
Obesity, Undernutrition, and Climate the supposed benefits of red wine. turn influences our thoughts

Change, published by The Lancet’s This topic was widely discussed (gut-brain axis). What we eat can
Obesity Commission. It refers to the at the 2nd International Congress either worsen sadness, increase
interconnectedness of three global on Bioactive Compounds and the anxiety, or promote greater
crises—obesity, undernutrition, and 3rd International Workshop on mental calmness.
climate change—which mutually Bioactive Compounds at Unicamp,
reinforce each other and have a Brazil. It is now well-established It’s also important to note the
profound impact on public health. that all forms of alcoholic role of individual differences: the