Top 10 Health Reasons to Go Vegan
1. A vegan diet lowers “bad” cholesterol, and increases “good” cholesterol. High cholesterol leads to clogged arteries, which leads to heart disease (see #2). In fact, a vegan diet has been proven to improve these numbers even more than a vegetarian diet.
2. A vegan diet reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death around the world, with 85% of those due to heart disease.
3. In the US alone, 13% of all adults have diabetes—and 90-95% of those cases are Type 2 diabetes, meaning it is caused not just by genetics, but by lifestyle. Type 2 diabetes continues to rise in the United States, with higher consumption of processed and red meats linked to increased risk. Plant-based diets, however, are associated with a significantly lower risk.
4. A growing body of research has linked higher dairy consumption with increased risks of certain diseases, including prostate cancer, breast cancer, and cardiovascular disease.
Dairy Is the Leading Source of Saturated Fat in the American Diet. High intake of saturated fat is strongly linked to heart disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S.
Several large studies have found that higher dairy consumption is associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer.
Several studies have found that higher dairy milk consumption is associated with increased risk of breast cancer. Soy intake, by contrast, was not associated with increased risk.
Milk contains a protein called casein that can release compounds known as casomorphins during digestion. These compounds can interact with opioid receptors in the body. Because cheese concentrates milk proteins, it contains particularly high levels of casein. The opioid-like characteristics of BCM-7 are highlighted for their potential triggering effect on several diseases.
6.Thanks to advances in medicinal diagnostics and treatments, the risk of dying from cancer is lessening every year. However, cancer is one of the top ten causes of death. A vegan diet reduces the risk of cancer.
Vegans have the lowest rate of cancer, compared to the standard American diet.
7. Overall, vegans have a lower BMI than the rest of the population. A high BMI is associated with obesity, which is a risk factor for many chronic diseases and illnesses. Plant-based diets are recommended for improved nutrition and weight loss to help prevent chronic illness.
8. Recent studies indicate that a plant-based diet is great for the immune system. One study found that in vegans, the gut contained a higher number of the cell that is specifically designed to protect it. Another found that people on a plant-based diet had less inflammation and lower white blood cell count—both markers of the body fighting an infection. What that means? Fewer colds, shorter illnesses, less risk of disease.
There is no longer any need to consume cruelty with your food.
9. Meat and dairy have no place in a healthy future. All nutrients and minerals can be found in vegan foods and supplements. For example, ONE tablespoon of delicious, cheesy, nutritional yeast has 8 grams of protein, 640% of the RDA Vitamin B1, 480% of Vitamin B6, and 130% of Vitamin B12. One tablespoon of chia seeds contains all the Omega-3s we need. And iron and calcium? Even easier.
10. Chlorella contains larger amounts of folate and iron than other plant-derived foods.Chlorella products contain numerous nutrients and vitamins, including D and B12, that are absent in plant-derived food sources.
Credit: The Conscious Plant Kitchen
