Why You Should Consider Vegan Diets

Plant-based diets are increasingly becoming popular. This is because most food scientists and dietitians are, more than before, pointing out the health risks of eating meat and other synthesized foods. Among other things, eating vegan has been said to reduce the likelihood of chronic diseases and reduce environmental degradation.

According to Chef’s Pencil, a food-based website, in 2020, there was a record increase in the interest in veganism. This is primarily because people are increasingly concerned about veganism’s health benefits. On the other hand, some are particularly concerned about the welfare and safety of animals.

It is important to note that vegan diets have a richer concentration of specific nutrients. Although meat and other animal products are good protein sources, vegan diets like vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts, seeds, and peas can avail you of a far more significant portion of nutrients. For instance, it has been noted that soy milk has about the same protein concentration as cow milk. Vegan diets have a substantial concentration of vitamins A, C, and E, fiber, antioxidants, folate, potassium, and magnesium.

While vegan diets have immense nutritional value, it is essential to note that when a diet is not adequately planned, it most likely would not provide the required amount of nutrients. Therefore, it is often advised to go for whole fortified foods and whole plants. On the other hand, nutrients like calcium, zinc, Vitamins B12 and D are not particularly packed in vegan diets. Therefore, it might be necessary to adopt supplements.

Consequently, the University of Oxford conducted research that surveyed about 48,000 recipients within eighteen years. The study compared the health of meat-eaters and pescatarians with that of vegetarians. Pescatarians do not eat meat; however, they eat fish. It was observed that vegetarians and people who rely heavily on vegan diets have a lower tendency to suffer from heart diseases.

Besides the risk of heart diseases, the research further noted that vegan diets could also reduce cancer risk compared to meat-eaters and pescatarians. According to a study by Germans that involved about 800 vegetarian men, the cancer rate in vegetarians, compared to meat-eaters, was about half.

Vegan diets can also play an essential role in helping to lose weight. It has been observed that vegetarians tend to have thinner frames and lower body mass indexes (BMIs) than non-vegetarians. Similarly, according to the gold standard in scientific research, it has been noted that vegan diets help achieve weight loss compared to non-vegan meals.

Vegan diets have also been reported to improve kidney health and reduce blood sugar levels. Eating vegetables and fruits help increase the body’s insulin sensitivity. It also ensures that the blood sugar levels are adequately regulated, reducing the likelihood of contracting type 2 diabetes.

In some instances, vegan-based diets have been proven to reduce blood sugar in people living with diabetes, compared to diets recommended by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the National Cholesterol Education Program.

Consequently, a study in 2009 confirms the preceding opinion. The study noted that 43 percent of people eating vegan diets could successfully reduce their blood sugar levels, reducing the medication rate. On the other hand, only 26 percent of people living with diabetes and who observed the diet recommended by the ADA could lower their blood sugar.