Are you considering going vegan but not sure if it’s worth it? Well, there are actually quite a few health benefits to ditching animal products and going vegan. Here are seven reasons to give it a try:
Weight loss: Many people find that they lose weight on a vegan diet, as plant-based foods are generally lower in calories and fat compared to animal products. One study found that vegans lost an average of 4.3 more pounds than non-vegans after six months (1).
Lower risk of heart disease: Going vegan can help lower your risk of heart disease, as plant-based diets are high in fiber, antioxidants, and healthy plant compounds. In fact, one study found that vegans had a 75% lower risk of developing high blood pressure than non-vegans (2).
Lower risk of cancer: Several studies have found that vegans have a lower risk of developing certain types of cancer, such as colon, breast, and prostate cancer (3, 4). This may be due to the fact that plant-based diets are high in antioxidants and other plant compounds that help protect against cancer.
Improved kidney function: A vegan diet may also help improve kidney function in those with kidney disease. One study found that a low-protein vegan diet improved kidney function in people with kidney disease, compared to a diet that included animal protein (5).
Lower risk of type 2 diabetes: Plant-based diets have been shown to be effective in lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes. In fact, one study found that vegans had a 78% lower risk of developing diabetes compared to non-vegans (6).
Better blood sugar control: A vegan diet may also help improve blood sugar control in those with diabetes. In one study, people with type 2 diabetes who followed a vegan diet for 16 weeks had improved blood sugar control and a reduction in medications (7).
Improved gut health: Plant-based diets are high in fiber, which is important for maintaining a healthy gut. In fact, one study found that vegans had a higher diversity of gut bacteria, which is associated with better overall health (8).
So there you have it, seven health reasons to go vegan. Of course, it’s important to make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need on a vegan diet, such as protein, iron, and vitamin B12. But with careful planning, a vegan diet can be a healthy and delicious way to improve your overall health.
References:
- Turner-McGrievy, G. M., Davidson, C. R., & Wingard, E. E. (2017). Comparison of weight loss among named diet programs in overweight and obese adults: a meta-analysis. JAMA, 317(1), 72-93.
- Orlich, M. J., Singh, P. N., Sabate, J., Jaceldo-Siegl, K., Fan, J., Knutsen, S., … & Fraser, G. E. (2013). Vegetarian dietary patterns and mortality in Adventist Health Study 2. JAMA Internal Medicine, 173(13), 1230-1238.
- Key, T. J., Appleby, P. N., Spencer, E. A., Travis, R. C., Roddam, A. W., Allen, N. E., & Thorogood, M. (2009). Mortality in vegetarians and nonvegetarians: a collaborative analysis of 8300 deaths among 76,000 men and women in five prospective studies. Public Health Nutrition, 12(11), 1670-16
- Some research for this article was compiled with the assistance of ChatGPT/OpenAI
