Exploring the Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet
Many individuals are turning towards plant-based diets after knowing their myriad benefits. Fruits, vegetables, wholesome grains, nourishing nuts, and seeds are obtained from plants. This blog will unveil the many advantages of a plant-based diet. So, let’s start uncovering the benefits of a plant-based diet lifestyle that will positively impact your health and the environment.
Good for the environment
Eating plants instead of animals helps in saving the environment by decreasing the burden of growing food for animals on land. Thousands of trees are cleared to create space for animal grazing or to grow crops for animal feeding.
This damages the biodiversity of a region which disrupts the whole ecosystem. As trees absorb oxygen, cutting down trees to grow food for animals releases more carbon dioxide into the air, thus contributing to climate change. Also, by eating a plant-based diet, you can help save native species from getting displaced or destroyed.
Reduce the risk of heart diseases
Plant-based food contains low saturated fats, high fibre, and zero cholesterol, which are ideal for maintaining good heart health. Conversely, foods like meat, eggs, and cheese can contribute to plaque formation in your arteries as they contain saturated fats and dietary cholesterol. But it will not be enough to avoid meat; one has to stop or reduce taking white rice, white bread, and other processed foods, such as fried foods and refined sugar, to keep their hearts healthy.
Lower the risk of type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes risk can be decreased by eating a plant-based diet. And this is because they help reduce weight since they contain fewer calories than meat and dairy products. Also, obese people have more fatty tissues, which makes the cells resistant to insulin; That’s why the best dietitian in India recommends plant-based diets to people. Also, plants are richer in fibre than animal food, which helps slow down the absorption of sugar from the blood.
Improved gut health
Vegan and vegetarian diets are a good source of natural prebiotics; They contribute to the growth of beneficial bacteria in our gut. Food such as bananas, garlic, onion, and oats contain prebiotics that support beneficial bacteria. Also, some animal-based foods contain high saturated fats that lead to gut inflammation. On the other hand, plant foods contain low saturated fat, which eliminates or reduces inflammation in the gut, promoting overall gut health.
Improve athletic performance
Many renowned sports persons in India and the world have turned to vegan diets, as it helps them reach their optimal performance. Sunil Chhetri, captain of the Indian football team, said that following a vegan diet helped him recover from his injuries and improved his digestion. Pro tennis player Venus Williams also shifted to a plant-based diet after suffering from an auto-immune disease and said the diet allowed her to handle the disease without taking prescribed medicines. If you are considering switching to a plant-based diet, think about taking an online diet consultation.
Reduce the risk of cancer
Foods made from plants contain chemical compounds called phytochemicals that protect the body from damage and interrupt processes that promote cancer growth. The two most prevalent phytochemical types are antioxidants and carotenoids. When a cell’s DNA is damaged, cells start dividing uncontrollably, destroying normal tissues and causing cancer. Sometimes our natural metabolism also releases oxidants that support cancer growth. Antioxidants present in food such as avocados, nuts, and grains protect and restore cells. Similarly, carotenoids lower the reduction of heart disease, cancer, and cataracts. The food that contains carotenoids are grains, spinach, fruits, apricots, and many more.
Makes brain strong
Plant-based diets help us physically as well as mentally. They contain antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids that protect the brain from stress and inflammation that cause neurological and cognitive issues. Also, plant food such as avocados, nuts, and olive oil contain healthy fats that lower the likelihood of cognitive decline. However, one should take a well-balanced diet that provides them with all nutrients. If you have a specific health condition, consider booking an appointment with renowned dietitian Lavleen Kaur; She will create a personalized diet plan for you that will help you boost your brain and overall health.
Wrapping up
At last, we hope the above points will help you know the significant advantages of having a plant-based diet, from promoting good heart health and gut to lowering the risk of developing cancer and type 2 diabetes. But whether you want to fully adopt a plant-based diet or introduce some plant foods in your daily life depends upon you. However, you can try changing your taste for some time and experience its benefits.
