Switching to a vegan lifestyle can have an array of health benefits. There are numerous studies that have shown that a plant based diet can reduce the chances of chronic diseases and conditions like hypertension, arthritis, type 2 diabetes, & certain types of cancer. Vegan diets are rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and phytonutrients—all essential for good health and often lacking in conventional diets.
According to the National Library of Medicine, a report published in 2020 found that adopting a vegan diet significantly reduces blood pressure in individuals with hypertension. This stat underscores one of the many health benefits of transitioning to a vegan lifestyle.
However, the advantages of adopting such a diet extend beyond just improved cardiovascular health. In this blog, we will discuss why you should consider a vegan lifestyle change and explore the advantages associated with this.
What Are the Benefits of a Vegan Lifestyle Change?
There are approximately 79 million vegans worldwide, which might sound like a lot of people at first. However, considering the global population of 7.8 billion, the proportion of vegans appears relatively small. Despite this, adopting a plant based lifestyle has become increasingly popular. Here are some benefits people why people around the globe considering this lifestyle:
Major Health Benefits
There are so many major health benefits related to a vegan lifestyle change. Some of them are listed below:
Nutrient-Rich Diet: A plant based diet is rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, peas, nuts, and seeds. These foods provide important nutrients such as antioxidants, fiber, potassium, magnesium, folate, and vitamins A, C, and E. These nutrients support overall health and may reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Having vegan meal plans can help ensure you get various important nutrients that support your overall health.
Weight Loss Support: A vegan diet may aid in weight loss, as per a report by Healthline. This is because vegans tend to have lower body mass indexes (BMIs) and may lose more weight compared to those on other diets. The high fiber content of vegan diets can promote feelings of fullness, leading to reduced calorie intake and potential weight loss.
Diabetes Risk Reduction: Vegan diets may lower blood sugar levels & increase insulin sensitivity, reducing the chance of type 2 diabetes. According to the American Society of Nutrition, the prevalence of diabetes was 49% lower among vegans and 46% lower compared to non-vegetarians. This stat shows that a vegan diet can more effectively manage blood sugar levels than other recommended diets.
Cancer Prevention: A large U.S. study cited by the American Institute of Cancer Research found that men who followed a vegan diet were 35 percent less likely to have prostate cancer compared to non-vegetarians. This means high intake of legumes, fruits, and vegetables in vegan diets provides antioxidants and phytochemicals, which may help protect against cancer by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.
Heart Health: Considering a vegan lifestyle change may reduce the chances of serious heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels, blood pressure, & blood sugar levels. Whole grains and nuts, commonly consumed in a plant based diet, benefit heart health. The exclusion of saturated fats from animal products and the inclusion of heart-healthy fats from plant sources may contribute to these benefits.
Arthritis Pain Relief: According to a recent study reported and published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, a vegan diet can reduce the pain & inflammation related to rheumatoid arthritis by 53 percent. The higher antioxidant, probiotic, and fiber content of plant based diets may contribute to these benefits. Additionally, the exclusion of potential trigger foods, such as dairy and processed meats, may help reduce inflammation associated with arthritis.
Environmental Benefits
Having vegan meal plans in your diet can have numerous environmental benefits. This includes:
Addressing World Hunger: Livestock farming occupies over 80% of the world’s farmland but only yields 18% of the calories & 37% of the protein. This inefficiency contributes to world hunger even though enough food is produced globally. By transitioning to plant-based diets, we can use farmland more efficiently, producing more food and addressing hunger more effectively.
Conserving Water Resources: Around 20-30% of the world’s freshwater is used for animal agriculture purposes, while plant-based proteins like pulses require much less water. This is why switching to a vegan diet can save significant amounts of water. This change can reduce the pressure on water resources, promoting the use of more sustainable water sources like rainwater harvesting, water recycling, and efficient irrigation techniques.
Reduces Energy Consumption: Raising animals for food is both energy-intensive and environmentally harmful. It begins with growing crops to feed the animals, which results in a lower caloric yield in meat compared to the calories in the crops. This inefficiency is further compounded by the energy-intensive process of converting live animals into meat. Additionally, housing for these animals often requires artificial heating and lighting.
Species Extinction Prevention: The World Wide Fund for Nature found that animal populations have decreased by an average of 68% over the past 46 years. This loss of biodiversity could have serious effects on us and the planet. In North America, 52% of this loss is due to changes in how land is used, mainly for animal agriculture. Going vegan can help by freeing up land for rewilding, which can help reverse this biodiversity loss.
Cleanse the Air: When considering a plant based lifestyle change, you contribute to cleaner air. One of the key ways this happens is by reducing the emissions associated with animal agriculture. Livestock farming produces methane, a greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. By reducing our consumption of animal products, you can help reduce the demand for livestock farming and, in turn, reduce methane emissions.
Ethical Considerations
For many, the ethical treatment of animals is an important reason for choosing veganism. The commercial meat and dairy industries often involve practices that many people find morally objectionable. Adopting a plant based lifestyle means refusing to support industries that rely on the exploitation and inhumane treatment of animals, thereby advocating for animal rights and welfare.
Economic Benefits
While it may seem counterintuitive, going vegan can also be economically advantageous. Plant-based ingredients like beans, rice, and vegetables are generally less expensive than meat and seafood. Embracing a vegan diet can reduce your grocery bills significantly. Moreover, as the demand for plant based products grows, more economical and diverse products are becoming available, making it an increasingly accessible option.
Conclusion
Choosing a vegan lifestyle change has many benefits for your health, the environment, and animals. It can help prevent diseases, save water, and fight climate change. Veganism is also about being ethical and caring for the world. As more people go vegan, there are more plant based foods available, and they are becoming cheaper, too. Think about going vegan and joining others in positively impacting the world, starting with your meals.