7 Benefits of Going Plant-Based

Plant-based. Vegetarian. Vegan. What are they? The main idea behind these lifestyles is that you avoid animal products. Contrary to what you might originally think, there are a stunning amount of health advantages, environmental benefits, and even helpful changes in your moral approach to life that come from switching to each a plant-based diet. These 7 benefits are just a taste of what a plant-based diet can do for you.

1. Give yourself a much needed health-boost.

Imagine sitting down for dinner with your family. In front of you is a platter of roasted zucchini and yellow squash mixed with olive oil and red-skinned potatoes. To the side of that is freshly baked bread with vinegar for dipping. At the front of the table is a romaine lettuce salad with cranberries, strawberries, blackberries, crushed almonds, and walnuts, mixed with a vegan poppy seed dressing. Not only in the meal completely plant-based, but it is also rich with vitamins and minerals that you would miss out on with a traditional “Western meal of meat and dairy. You get to eat more food for fewer calories and more nutrients. It sounds like a dream come true.

2. Say hello to clear skin.

Studies show that dairy is a main cause of facial acne. It causes inflammation under the skin that encourages infection which then leads to pimples and other blemishes on the face. There are countless tales of people giving up dairy and losing their adult acne. People around the world are testifying of the benefits of simply turning to a plant-based diet. Eating more plants increases your bodies intake of vitamins like A, C, E, and K, all of which improve the quality and the elasticity of your skin.

3. Increase your amount of energy.

Switching to a plant-based diet will, at first, be more difficult than you might have thought. Your body will crave the unhealthy fats from the foods that you have cut out and if you choose to do a whole food plant based diet you’ll have to decide whether sugar and processed foods will still be in your life. After the first few weeks of being plant-based, you’ll notice that your body is thanking you for it. You’ll be able to wake up earlier and stay up later. You’ll start to feel as if you’re bouncing off the walls with energy.

4. Decrease your risk of cancer and disease.

Eating processed meats and red meats has been linked to an increased chance of cancers while eating a plant-based diet has shown to decrease cancer rates. The American Institute of Cancer Research promotes having a plant-based diet, especially if cancer is known to run in your family. Having a plant-based diet increases your intake of fiber as well which also helps to decrease your chance of cancers. Eating more fruits and vegetables is also shown to decrease your risk of heart disease. This is because a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and fiber decreases high blood pressure and allows the heart the nutrients that it needs.

5. Going plant-based can decrease your risk of diabetes.

About 387 million people in the United States live with diabetes and that number is expected to double in the next 20 years. Switching to a plant-based diet, however, has been shown to reverse the effects of type 2 diabetes. This is because of the increase of fibers and the decrease of fats and of processed sugars. Plant-based diets are also shown to help people lose weight and manage a healthier lifestyle.

6. You will have better eyesight.

We all know the saying that carrots make you see better at night. And it’s actually true. Keratin (found in carrots) does aid in helping your vision. Other vegetables like kale, corn, squash, and kiwi also contain high levels of keratin as well as lutein which prevents cataracts and muscular degeneration in the eyes. If you’re having trouble with your eyes, try going plant-based and increasing the number of vegetables you get each night.

7. You’ll have an easier time with digestion.

Because plants are full of nutrients, your body has an easier time digesting them and your gut doesn’t have to work too hard to move it through your body. You have more timely backroom tips and they will be more pleasant.

There are so many benefits to eating a plant-based diet. If you want to learn more about going vegan or vegetarian, here is a site that has more information on the topic. You can also look into documentaries like What the Health or Forks of Knives to give you more reasons to look into the new lifestyle. There is a vast support group in every state as well so you’ll never have to feel alone.