Nowadays, more people are starting to make the transition to a vegan diet. This can be owing to the increasing awareness of its weight loss benefits. People who have testified about losing a ton of weight by going plant-based are very encouraging and motivating for others who dream of getting their slim bodies.
But aside from helping lose weight effectively, there are several other benefits of adhering to a vegan or plant-based diet. If you’re looking into it and need a little more convincing, here are the benefits.
Richness in certain nutrients
A lot of the nutrients our bodies need, we normally get in the meat and dairy products we eat. It is true that a plant-based diet means not sustaining your body enough with essential nutrients like iron and protein. But there are other sources from where we can get these nutrients.
Once our body cuts down on or totally eliminates meat, we have to rely on other food to sustain the minerals and nutrients our bodies need to function optimally. Hence, we turn to alternatives such as nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, etc. Compared to meat, these are incredibly richer in nutrient content.
Lowers blood sugar levels
Studies show that vegans have lower blood sugar levels and higher insulin sensitivity compared to meat-eaters. This puts them at a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This is owing to less meat consumption and more nutrients that cleanse the body from harmful toxins.
Prevents cancer development
Did you know that what you eat can either increase or decrease your risk of developing cancer? Indeed, some studies have found that you can prevent several types of cancers by watching your food consumption.
Research has proven that eating at least seven portions of fruits and vegetables a day can lower the risk of cancer by up to 15%. The reason behind it is because non-meat eaters consume less processed and smoked meat. When prepared in this manner, this actually promotes the development of some types of cancer.
Reduces the risk of heart disease
Because vegans stick to a strict plant-based diet and consume more fruits and vegetables than meat-eaters, they have a lesser tendency to develop heart disease by 42%. That’s because they don’t fill their bodies with excessive cholesterol and sugar found in meat and dairy products. And they consume more nuts and grains too, which are foods that promote good cardiovascular health.
Promotes good bone health
When it comes to bone health, calcium is the nutrient to consume. The average person gets a sufficient supply of calcium from dairy products like milk and cheese. But there are better and richer sources of this bone-strengthening nutrient. Because vegans don’t consume dairy, they have to turn to alternatives like kale and spinach to supply their bodies with calcium. These sources are much richer in terms of calcium content, hence, healthier for the bones and teeth.
Reduces the risk of obesity
Widely known is the fact that adhering to a vegan diet can help a person lose excess weight. That’s why many people are turning to it for weight loss reasons. Vegans have been found to be thinner and have lower body mass than non-vegans. In fact, an experiment revealed that vegans who ate until they were full still lost more weight than those who adhered to a calorie-restricted diet.
Adhering to a vegan or plant-based diet has amazing health benefits. It prevents illnesses and diseases even before they occur. That’s definitely a great selling point to transition to veganism. If you want to kickstart your vegan journey, consider undergoing natural chef training to learn how to cook your vegan meals.
