Practitioners of the plant-based lifestyle have been touting the health benefits of going vegan/vegetarian for years now. And while we see ridiculous stories about magical body transformations on a vegan diet, there’s some truth to the health benefits of going plant-based.
An adequately managed plant-based diet with the proper nutrients is far healthier than a diet involving meat.
Note: Someone eating potato chips and drinking coca-cola all day is still vegan, and it’s anything but healthy! So a properly managed diet is key to better health as a plant-based eater.
Why Going Plant-Based is Healthier
Optimal nutrition is the crux of a healthy lifestyle on any diet. But if you’re optimizing nutrition, a veggie diet is far superior in terms of the health benefits offered. Here are a few reasons why.
1. Free From Saturated Fats
The prime reason a plant-based diet is superior to one with meat is the absence of saturated fats.
Of course, some processed foods may contain trace amounts of saturated fat, but most plant foods are free from this toxin.
Saturated fats have been linked to cancer and other lifestyle diseases, including diabetes, heart attacks, and strokes.
A diet involving animal products (especially red meat) is the chief contributor to saturated fats in the body and can lead to the development of these diseases.
2. Rich in Fiber
Vegan and vegetarian diets are rich in fiber, a compound essential for the breakdown and absorption of nutrients from digested food.
Meat and other animal products are completely devoid of fiber, making it difficult for your body to quickly break down your meals, leading to various digestive issues.
Fiber also helps in weight management by keeping you full longer and preventing snacking between meals. Aside from the absence of saturated fats, the adequate supply of fiber makes it easier for people to lose weight quickly on a plant-based diet.
3. Alkaline in Nature
Your body requires a lot more energy to digest meat, which demands extra work from the kidneys. This extra effort can build up the acidity in the body, leading to a plethora of problems.
A more acidic state adversely affects the immune system, reducing its effectiveness and opening the body to diseases and pathogens. As such, heavy meat consumption can lead to various illnesses, aside from the lifestyle diseases already mentioned.
The USDA also reported that nearly 70% of food-borne illnesses are brought by contaminated meat. Bacteria like E.Coli and salmonella cause a large population of the world to fall sick every year.
The condition in which animals are kept before slaughter also plays a role in carrying diseases to the masses. By cutting meat from your diet, you effectively remove the carriers through which these diseases enter the human body.
4. Improved Sexual Health
Meat contains cholesterol and saturated fats that can lead to blockages in arteries all over the body. These blockages negatively impact blood flow to various organs leading to several issues, one of which is sexual impotence.
Most farmed animals are injected with various hormones that enter our system when we consume them and disrupt the natural hormonal cycles in the body.
The best way to counter this is to eat plenty of fruits and veggies, as the increased fiber can help get rid of arterial blocks. And if you want a permanent fix, giving up meat in favor of a plant-based diet is your best bet.
5. Diversified Nutrient Portfolio
Most people worry that a plant-based diet will not give them the adequate nutrition they need. While a meat diet gives you plenty of protein and iron, there’s little else your body receives from consuming animals. Aside from saturated fats and cholesterol, of course.
While getting enough protein and iron on a plant-based diet can be tricky, there are multiple sources to obtain these nutrients.
And aside from these compounds, you can find other essential vitamins and minerals by consuming various vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
Go Plant-Based
With the correct planning and preparation, a plant-based diet can work wonders for your health. Elevated energy levels, an improved mood, and healthier skin are just the beginning.
You can enhance your overall well-being and live a richer, more fulfilling existence with the right diet plan.