You may be on this page because you’re wondering: What are the benefits of a plant-based diet?
There’s a range of benefits to it, not just limited to a boost in health.
When it comes to a vegan diet, one may choose to take it on for many reasons. Be it health, environmental reasoning, for the animals or just for the challenge.
For those trying to find a solid reason to go plant-based, read on.
What is a whole foods plant-based (WFPB) diet?
The whole-food plant-based diet is focused on negating processed foods as much as possible. With more of a prioritisation of fresh foods, and minimal chemicals and filler ingredients.
Basically, a plant-based diet as we define it, is a diet solely based on plants, and no questionable ingredients.
Firstly we’ll start out with a few (of the many) health benefits of a plant-based diet.
Obesity, diabetes & heart disease prevention
According to Medical News Today, those who follow a plant-based diet are less likely to suffer from diseases such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes.
Plant-based people are also more likely to have a lower BMI.
Doesn’t entirely go without saying, a junk food vegan would still be consuming a lot of calories. But a well-planned plant-based diet will result in reduced caloric intake and increased energy expenditure with time.
A well-planned plant-based vegan diet is high in complex carbohydrates. This as well as fibre and a variety of nutrients and minerals, helping people stay fuller for longer.
Helps reduce inflammation
With recent research showing how dairy foods and meats can contribute to inflammation. It’s comforting to know that vegan foods, especially whole wheat, fruit and vegetables actually reduces your risk of inflammation.
Foods that cause inflammation are meat, dairy, processed sugars, alcohol, refined carbs (i.e. flour) and fried and fatty foods.
So just because you’re vegan doesn’t mean you’re immune to inflammation; there’s a big difference between being vegan and being truly plant-based.
Good for the brain
In a recent study, it was found that plant-based diets can be useful against cognitive decline.
The study specifically mentions diets abundant in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes and whole grains. Avoiding animal and processed foods where possible.
Other than just preventing cognitive decline, research also shows that plant-based eating patterns was relative to better performance on cognitive tasks.
Suggesting better cognition among those who eat primarily plant-based.
Keeps you young
You may have heard stories of vegans that have defied odds and look 25 at 40, chances are they’re plant-based vegans.
The secret to keeping young is, to be honest, just staying hydrated, stress free and getting plenty of antioxidants in you!
A recent study shows evidence supporting a whole-foods plant based diet in order to achieve younger looking skin.
Plant-based vegan diets can save you money
Ignore all the expensive ice cream options, chocolates and whatnot at the shops.
Contrary to popular belief, when you break your weekly shop down into the raw essentials, fruits, veg, bread and milk, sans the meat and dairy, you’ll actually save a heck of a lot.
With a plant-based, or WFPB diet, you’ll naturally buy less processed foods, which tend to be more on the pricey side.
Fruits and vegetables are cheap, rice and pasta is cheap, just always read the label if you’re unsure, make sure you can pronounce all ingredients.
Check out our recent post on how vegan foods can be cheap.
Vegan diets are better for the environment
From lower greenhouse gas emissions to less cow farts from over-breeding of animals for the food industry; those abiding by a vegan diet can expect to reduce greenhouse emissions by 10-70%!
According to a recent Forbes article, 14.5% of total man-made emissions come from the meat industry. Just from the production of meat, crazy right?
With a plant-based vegan diet, you’d tend to source most of your ingredients, to make things from scratch as much as possible, such as bread, etc.
That in turn means the ingredients you source, regardless of whether they’re shipped or flown to the supermarket, are a lot lower in emissions than other foods due to the lack of processing.
Some benefits of a plant-based diet
So those are a few of the many benefits of a plant-based diet, in summary:
Obesity, diabetes, heart disease prevention
Weight management
Lower inflammation
Good for brain health
Keeps you young
Saves you money
Better for the environment
We hope you liked this post, if you did, we’d love if you share it with a friend!
