Health Benefits of a Vegan Diet

Maybe you’ve heard about the vegan diet.  You’re not convinced it’s for you.  Perhaps it sounds extreme and boring.  But, you might consider it if the vegan diet offered sufficient benefits.

Is it possible you could become one of those “vegan people”?  It might be conceivable if it provided the best opportunity for your health and longevity.

First, let’s define what a vegan diet actually is. Essentially, it’s a diet that is free of animal products. So, that means no meat of any kind, including fish and seafood, no dairy products, and no eggs.  It’s like being vegetarian but it also excludes dairy products.  Many vegans choose to exclude honey, too.

What does that leave? Every other food, including fruits, soy, vegetables, beans, grains, and nuts. There are also many processed foods as well that are vegan, such as bread and pasta.

Keep in mind that vegan food isn’t necessarily healthy food. French fries, potato chips, and some cookies are vegan, but they certainly aren’t healthy. We can eat a very unhealthy diet and still be 100% vegan!

A Vegan Diet with Nutritious Foods can Provide Many Health Benefits:

A vegan diet may reduce arthritis pain. Multiple studies have demonstrated that following a vegan diet can reduce the pain of rheumatoid arthritis. Study participants reported less joint swelling and less morning stiffness, too.

Metabolism benefits. Vegan diets can be extremely healthy. A good vegan diet is full of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytochemicals. Just as important, a proper vegan diet is also low in calories, cholesterol, and saturated fat.

This type of diet is high in nutrition, but low in calories and disease-causing components.

There is also evidence to suggest that those following a vegan diet note an improvement in gut biome and other metabolic advantages such as:

1. Lower risk of heart disease. The primary contributors to heart disease include high blood sugar, blood pressure, LDL (or “bad” cholesterol), and total cholesterol. A healthy vegan diet has been shown to lower all of these risk factors.

2. Cognitive benefits. Those that follow a vegan diet have shown a decreased risk of developing cognitive issues. When a cognitive issue is present, vegan diet followers show a slower rate of decline.

3. Lower risk of certain types of cancer. Adhering to a vegan diet lowers the risk of prostate, colon, and breast cancer.

4. Enhanced kidney function. High blood sugar is ultimately very damaging to kidney function. It forces the kidneys to work extra hard. High blood sugar is also damaging to the blood vessels in the kidneys. Those following a vegan diet often experience great improvements in kidney function.

5. Weight loss. A healthy vegan diet is low in calories. However, not all vegan diets are healthy. You can eat nothing but potato chips and Fruit Loops and be a vegan. However, a healthy vegan diet has a low-calorie density. It would be a real challenge to eat enough to maintain a high body weight.

A vegan diet can be extremely healthy if good food choices are made. If you’re looking to boost your health, lose weight, and preserve your cognitive function, a vegan diet might be the best option.

How to Start a Vegan Diet

1. First, make a list of healthy vegan foods that you enjoy.
    
2. Then, start by eating one vegan meal each day.
    
3. After a week, add in a second vegan meal.
    

Take things slowly and experiment with different recipes. You’ll struggle if you’re determined to eat nothing but salad and fruit. If eating isn’t enjoyable, it will be challenging to stick with it.

There are compelling reasons for giving serious consideration to  becoming a vegan.  Get started today, and it won’t be long before you can call yourself a legitimate vegan.

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