The rise of veganism and plant-based diets has been a global phenomenon, driven by growing awareness of the health and environmental benefits of such diets. According to a recent survey, nearly one in ten people around the world now identify as vegan, while many more are embracing a more plant-based lifestyle.
In addition, the global market for plant-based food and drink has grown by over 10% in the past year alone, with sales expected to surpass $100 billion by 2026. One major reason for this is that the production of animal-based foods has been shown to have a significant impact on the environment, from deforestation and water pollution to greenhouse gas emissions.
As consumers become more aware of the benefits of a vegan or plant-based diet, they are seeking out more options in grocery stores and restaurants, and food companies are responding with a growing array of vegan and plant-based products.
Whether driven by health, ethical, or environmental concerns, it is clear that the trend towards plant-based diets is here to stay. So let’s understand some benefits of switching to this lifestyle.
6 Benefits of Switching to a Vegan Lifestyle
1. Helps you lose excess weight
Switching to a vegan lifestyle helps you to lose excess weight. A vegan diet consists of only plant-based foods and excludes all animal products such as meat, dairy, and eggs. This type of diet is typically low in calories, high in fiber, and rich in nutrients. It makes you feel full and satisfied, which leads to eating fewer calories and overall weight loss.
A study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that people who followed a vegan diet lost an average of 12.8 lbs compared to 8.4 lbs who followed a control diet. This weight loss can be aided by regular exercise.
2. Lowers the risk of diabetes
In addition to weight loss, a well-planned vegan diet also helps to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. These diets are high in fiber content and have good nutrient density which improves insulin sensitivity and glucose control.
As per past research, incorporating a lifelong plant-based diet has a 35% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It involves eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and unsaturated fats.
3. Improves heart health
As a vegan diet involves eating less saturated fats, it reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases and improves heart health. The vegan diet provides a wide range of nutrients that helps to lower cholesterol levels, reduce blood pressure, and improve sugar control.
There is evidence to show that consuming plant-based diets during young to middle adulthood lowers the risk of heart attacks, heart failure, stroke or any other cardiovascular diseases. It’s good if you adopt these habits early in your life as it reduces the risk of developing chronic diseases. Additionally, you can support your overall health by taking high-quality health supplements.
4. Lowers the risk of cancer
A vegan diet has high fiber content and low saturated fats which helps to reduce the risk of certain types of cancers like colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer. In addition, fiber is also helpful in removing excess waste from your digestive system, which can play a key role in preventing colorectal cancer. A fiber-rich, vegan diet can also help you attain a healthy weight, which further reduces the risk of 12 different types of cancer.
5. Can help uplift your mood
One of the biggest benefits of a vegan diet is that it helps in lifting your mood and makes you feel better emotionally. A well-planned vegan diet is rich in nutrients like vitamins, fiber and antioxidants which have various mood-enhancing properties.
Some of these also help in regulating brain function and must be included in your diet regularly.
6. Increases life expectancy
According to a study by the University of Bergen, consuming a vegan diet can help in increasing life expectancy by a decade. Based on their findings, they mentioned that replacing red meat and processed food with whole grains, legumes, and nuts can help in increasing life expectancy exponentially. In addition, when separated from the rest, vegans had a 15% lower risk of premature death from all causes.
This further indicates that a vegan diet might help people live longer than those who adhere to a vegetarian or omnivorous lifestyle.
Conclusion
Adopting a vegan lifestyle can have a lot of positive benefits on the individual’s overall health. With gut health being a key factor in a person’s health, switching to a vegan diet can help you reduce the risk of various diseases while also contributing to a more sustainable and ethical environment.
We hope that the article was helpful for you and that you derived value from the information provided above.