Apart from weight loss, a plant-based diet offers numerous health benefits. Plant-based diet focuses more on the quality of plant food and less of animal food consumption. This article will help you understand what is a plant-based diet and its benefits to one’s health.
The Difference Between Being Vegan and Plant-Based Diet
Both meal plans have been popular in recent years. Vegan diet pertains to eliminating all animal products to your meals while a plant-based meal plan reduces animal products and focus more on plants.
“With a plant-based diet, you can decide whether or not you want to consume animal products, and the focus is on eating mostly foods that come from plant sources,” says Dr. Christine Kirlew.
This type of diet emphasizes the consumption of whole-grain food,vegetables, nuts, and fruits. Usually, it encourages to eat natural foods than processed ones. There are that studies revealed that eating more vegetables without eliminating animal products can make people healthier.
Incredible Benefits of Plant-based Meal Plan
A lot of people shifted to a plant-based diet due to its exceptional health benefits in the long-run. Others preferred this meal plan due to the flexibility it offers. Here are the great benefits of the plant-based meal plan.
1.Lowers the risk of having heart diseases and diabetes
In the long period, eating more quality of plant improves one’s health and lessen the risk of acquiring heart diseases and diabetes caused by too much cholesterol and bad sugar.
“Epidemiological data shows that the more plant foods someone eats, the lower their risk for certain chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes and some cancers,” Taylor Wolfram, a dietitian said.
2. May help you live longer
A study from the Journal of the American Heart Association showed that a plant-based diet can lower the risk of mortality to 25%. Moreover, as you focus more on naturally-grown foods, you will more likely to increase health outcomes.
3. Reducing the risk of acquiring cancer
“The best way to source cancer-protective nutrients, including fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals, is to eat a diet rich in vegetables, fruit, grains, beans, nuts, seeds, and some animal foods,” the American Institute for Cancer Research said.
4. Improves Brain Function
Sticking to a plant-based diet can lessen the risk of having Alzheimer’s disease. Interestingly, according to Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience (2017), “eating an extra 100 grams of fruits and vegetables per day (about one-half cup) led to a 13 percent reduction in the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia”.
5. Improves digestion
Best foods for the gut are common in a the plant-heavy diet because it is full of fiber. Eating foods that are rich in fiber can improve your digestion.
6. Boosts Energy
Most of the plants have vitamins and minerals providing the human body more energy. Plus, plants consist of antioxidants, phytonutrients, and proteins that do not only provide health benefits but can also enlighten your mood.
Sources:
(1) https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/scientific-benefits-following-plant-based-diet/
(2) https://www.simplyquinoa.com/7-amazing-benefits-of-a-plant-based-diet/