Introduction
Eating a plant-based diet can be good for your health. It can help to lower cholesterol, prevent heart disease and type 2 diabetes, and promote better brain health. If you’re considering switching to a plant-based diet, it’s important that you know the benefits of eating this way so that you’ll stick with it for the long haul. The following are just a few reasons why eating a plant based diet is beneficial:
A plant-based diet is less likely to increase the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, and may even help to lower blood pressure.
If you’re worried about the health of your heart, it’s important to eat a plant-based diet. Scientists have found that a plant-based diet is associated with lower cholesterol levels, which can reduce the risk of heart disease. In addition, people who follow a plant-based diet are less likely to be overweight or obese than those who don’t.
Experts believe that eating more vegetables and fruits—especially dark green ones—may protect against type 2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels and increasing insulin sensitivity (the ability for cells in the body to respond appropriately). A study published in 2017 showed that participants who followed a vegan diet were significantly more likely to experience improvements in their metabolic health after five weeks than those following other diets.
A 2012 study found that people who consumed more than 100 grams of whole grains per day had lower blood pressure than those who consumed less than 50 grams per day.*
A plant-based diet has been shown to help reduce inflammation in the body.
Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation. It’s a normal part of healing, but it can also be harmful if it doesn’t subside. If you have chronic inflammation, your body will react more strongly than usual to situations that cause inflammation and keep responding even after the threat has passed. This can lead to various health issues including heart disease and cancer.
It’s important not just to avoid foods that cause inflammation but also to eat foods that reduce it. A plant-based diet contains many anti-inflammatory ingredients like omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants while avoiding common sources of inflammatory substances like meat, dairy products and eggs (which contain casein). Plant foods are also generally lower in sodium content than animal products such as bacon or ham—another factor contributing towards inflammation in the body!
Plant-based foods often contain more fiber, which can promote digestive health and lower cholesterol levels.
One of the most important benefits of a plant-based diet is that it’s high in fiber, and fiber can help you feel full. A diet rich in high-fiber foods helps promote digestive health and lower cholesterol levels. It can also help lower blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease.
Eating a plant-based diet may help promote better brain health because many plant foods also contain antioxidants.
Many of the foods that make up a plant-based diet contain antioxidants, which are beneficial compounds that may help protect your body from certain diseases. Antioxidants may also be helpful for brain health by helping to improve memory and mental clarity, as well as lowering your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Free radicals are molecules produced during normal chemical reactions in our body’s cells. As they interact with other molecules, free radicals can damage cells or DNA. A good diet rich in antioxidants can help minimize their effects and prevent cell damage that could lead to serious health issues such as cancer.[3]
The amount of omega 3 fatty acids in the body can be increased by consuming fish and fortified soy milk, which are both considered part of a plant-based diet.
Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of fat that helps keep the body and brain healthy. They’re found in fish, nuts, and some vegetable oils. But eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes can also increase your intake of omega-3s—and there are many health benefits to doing so.
A plant-based diet is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids because it includes foods such as walnuts, flaxseed oil and soybeans. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition showed that people who ate a diet rich in omega-3s had higher levels than those who did not eat this way.
A plant based diet is good for your overall health
Plant-based diets have been shown to improve cardiovascular health, reduce inflammation and insulin resistance, and increase energy levels. With the vast number of health benefits associated with a plant-based diet, it’s no wonder that they’re becoming increasingly popular.
Plant-based diets are not only beneficial for your body but also for the planet. By choosing vegan foods over meat and dairy products at every meal you can help protect our earth from further harm.
Conclusion
While we’re sure you were already aware of the many health benefits associated with plant-based diets, it’s always good to be reminded of why this lifestyle is so important. The next time someone asks you why they should eat a plant-based diet, remember these points!
Photo by Ella Olsson