Why Go Vegan?

Top 5 Amazing Health Benefits of Going Vegan

Vegans are frequently misunderstood as fringe eaters with an unnatural passion for animal rights. While many vegans do feel passionately about animals, its time for others to see that a vegan diet and lifestyle go way beyond animal rights. Following a healthy, balanced vegan diet ensures a host of health benefits as well as prevention of some of the major diseases striking people in North America

What is a Vegan Diet?

A vegan diet involves eating only food products made from plants and avoiding animal products.

Benefits

1. A Vegan Diet Is Richer in Certain Nutrients

Whole-food vegan diets are generally higher in certain nutrients. Several studies have reported that vegan diets tend to provide more fiber, antioxidants and beneficial plant compounds. They also appear to be richer in potassium, magnesium, folate and vitamins A, C and E (1,2,3,4). However, not all vegan diets are created equal. Poorly planned vegan diets may provide insufficient amounts of essential fatty acids, vitamin B12, iron, calcium, iodine or zinc

2. It Can Help You Lose Excess Weight

Vegan diets have natural tendency to reduce your calorie intake. This makes them effective at promoting weight loss without the need to actively focus on cutting calories. In one study, a vegan diet helped participants lose 9.3 lbs more than a control diet over an 18-week study period. Interestingly, participants on the vegan diet lost more weight than those who followed calorie-restricted diets, even when the vegan groups were allowed to eat until they felt full

3. It Appears to Lower Blood Sugar Levels and Improve Kidney Function

Vegan diets may reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. They are also particularly effective at reducing blood sugar levels and may prevent further medical issues from developing.In one study, 43% of participants following a vegan diet were able to reduce their dosage of blood-sugar-lowering medication, compared to only 26% in the group that followed an ADA-recommended diet. Other studies report that diabetics who substitute meat for plant protein may reduce their risk of poor kidney function

4. A Vegan Diet May Protect Against Certain Cancers 

According to the World Health Organization, about one-third of all cancers can be prevented by factors within your control, including diet. For instance, eating legumes regularly may reduce your risk of colorectal cancer by about 9–18%. Research also suggests that eating at least seven portions of fresh fruits and vegetables per day may lower your risk of dying from cancer by up to 15%. Vegans generally eat considerably more legumes, fruit and vegetables than non-vegans. This may explain why a recent review of 96 studies found that vegans may benefit from a 15% lower risk of developing or dying from cancer. What's more, vegan diets generally contain more soy products, which may offer some protection against breast cancer. Avoiding certain animal products may also help reduce the risk of prostate, breast and colon cancers.Vegans also avoid dairy products, which some studies show may slightly increase the risk of prostate and colorectal cancer. Therefore, certain aspects of the vegan diet may offer protection against prostate, breast and colon cancer.

5. It's Linked to a Lower Risk of Heart Disease

Vegan diets may benefit heart health by significantly reducing the risk factors that contribute to heart disease. Observational studies comparing vegans to vegetarians and the general population report that vegans may benefit from up to a 75% lower risk of developing high blood pressure.Vegans may also have up to a 42% lower risk of dying from heart disease. Several randomized controlled studies report that vegan diets are much more effective at reducing blood pressures, LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol levels than the diets they are compared to. This may be particularly beneficial to heart health since reducing high blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels may reduce the risk of heart disease by as much as 46%.