The Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet

A plant-based diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, is a powerful way to achieve good health! These foods are full of fiber, rich in vitamins and minerals, free of cholesterol, and low in calories and saturated fat. Eating a variety of these foods provides all the protein, calcium, and other essential nutrients your body needs. It is important to include a reliable source of vitamin B12 in your diet. You can easily meet your vitamin B12 needs with a daily supplement or fortified foods, such as vitamin B12-fortified breakfast cereals, plant milks, and nutritional yeast.

Those who eat a plant-based diet lower their risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and other health conditions. Research also shows that a plant-based diet can cost less than an omnivorous diet.

Heart Disease

People who eat a plant-based diet have a lower risk of dying from heart disease when compared to non-vegetarians. Plant-based diets have been proven to prevent and reverse heart disease, improve cholesterol, and lower blood pressure.

Diabetes

Plant-based diets lower body weight, improve insulin function, and increase beta-cells’ ability to regulate blood sugar, which helps reverse symptoms associated with type 2 diabetes.

Weight Loss

Plant-based diets can lead to weight loss. Replacing high-fat foods with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes naturally reduces calorie intake.  It is recommended that you continue your exercise program to maintain and increase muscle cells in the body, which will also boost your metabolism.

Cancer

Avoiding animal products and high-fat foods and eating plant-based foods can lower the risk of developing certain types of cancer.

Brain Health

Saturated fat and trans-fat—found in dairy products, meat, and fried foods—can increase the risk for Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other cognitive conditions. A plant-based diet avoids these foods and is rich in antioxidants, folate, and vitamin E, which may offer a protective effect.

As a whole, the benefits of eating a plant-based diet are recognized simply by incorporating more of these foods into your diet and reducing animal food sources.  It does not have to be an “all or nothing” approach.  There are many reasons why one may choose to eat plants or animals, so each person needs to make the right choice for themselves.  The science behind the research of eating plants proves it will lead us toward optimal health!