Seven Ways A Vegan Diet Can Quickly Boost Your Health
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According to a recent article in The Economist, interest in veganism is surging, with concerns about health and climate being the prime motivators for the trend.
Unlike the traditional vegetarian diet, which includes dairy and eggs, all animal products are absent from the vegan diet, including honey.
This prompts many to wonder if the vegan diet includes enough protein. However, it’s easy to obtain all the RDA of protein from many vegan sources, making the vegan diet safe and effective for people of all ages. In addition, plant-protein is a cleaner form of food protein and is more easily absorbed by the body.
Clean protein is only one of the major health benefits to be enjoyed by adopting a vegan diet. Here are six more:
1.Higher Fiber Intake
A vegan diet is naturally higher in fiber, promoting proper digestion and helping to relieve constipation. It also helps you to feel fuller. Plant-based diets are rich in prebiotic fibers that promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms converting big macronutrients and fiber into nutrients that can be absorbed.
2. Lower Saturated Fat Intake
The World Health Organization advises a saturated fat consumption of no more than 10% of total daily calorie intake. Saturated fats can raise the “bad” LDL cholesterol in the blood, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Saturated fat levels drop dramatically without the consumption of animal products.
3. Low Calorie Diet
Over one third of Americans are obese, which raises their risk of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Plant-based foods are lower in calories than meat and dairy products overall, leading to weight moderation and loss. A 2016 study from Harvard University found vegetarian dieters lost more weight than non-vegetarians after 18 weeks, with vegan dieters seeing the most weight loss.
4. Rich in Antioxidants
Antioxidants are molecules that protect your cells against the damage caused by free radicals circulating in your body, which are linked to heart disease, cancer and other diseases. Fruits and vegetables with vibrant colors are loaded with antioxidants. Choose a wide variety of vegetable and fruit colors to naturally receive the greatest boost of antioxidants in your diet. Try these vegan recipes to stop free radical damage while defending and repairing cells.
5. Decreased Risk of Hypertension
According to the National Institutes of Health, it is estimated that approximately 80 million Americans have high blood pressure. Results from a cross-sectional study suggest that a plant-based diet is the most important intervention patients can make to reduce hypertension, with vegetarians 34% less likely than non-vegetarians to suffer its effects.
6. Prevent Cancer
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the US. According to the Mayo Clinic, eating more fruits and veggies may help prevent a third of cancer cases. Researchers asked over 70,000 volunteers about their diets and discovered the lowest cancer rates in vegans — those who ate no meat products at all. This may be due to the fact that plants produce beneficial phytochemicals that naturally protect our cells from damage, while meat products create chemical compounds in our bodies that have been identified as cancer-causing.
7. Improve Your Skin
The inside-out strategy for glowing skin involves plenty of rest, frequent water consumption, avoiding toxins and pollutants, regular exercise, and a wholesome diet. A vegan diet restricts dairy, a common source of allergies and skin problems. Plant-based diets encourage the consumption of foods high in antioxidants, which reduce inflammation and related skin conditions. In addition, fatty acid-rich foods, like coconut and avocado, are helpful for avoiding dry skin.
Mashum Mollah is an entrepreneur, founder and CEO at Blogmanagement.io.
Also see:
Beloved 1980s Vegetarian Cookbook Returns Entirely Vegan
Vegetarian And Vegan Diet: Five Things For Over-65s To Consider When Switching To A Plant-based Diet
