For years, registered dietitians and nutrition scientists have touted the perks of eating plants and cutting back on meat. The advantages of going vegan have been well-researched and have shown incredible results on their patients. But people are now catching on. Increasing numbers of people are moving toward vegan diets due to health, animal welfare, or environmental concerns.
The food you eat can make a difference in your health. Vegan foods are usually enriched with vitamins B1, C, and E, folic acid, magnesium, and iron, and are low in cholesterol and saturated fats. Those who follow a vegan diet avoid all animal products, including meat, dairy, and eggs, and some refrain from consuming honey. Studies reveal that the vegan diet can improve heart health, protect against cancer, and lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.
But what more can happen when you go vegan? Let’s find some significant health benefits of a vegan lifestyle that you may not have considered.
Lower Your Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, or hypertension, can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Several studies have shown that sticking to a plant-based diet can reduce blood pressure. Adding anti-inflammatory food like green leafy vegetables, yellow vegetables, whole grains, walnuts, extra virgin olive oil, fatty fish, tomatoes, and fruits can also help prevent cardiovascular disease.
Help Prevent Type 2 Diabetes
Plants are lower in saturated fats, which raises cholesterol levels and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Researchers found that eating a plant-based diet filled with high-quality plant foods reduced the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 34%.
Help Reduce Weight
Whole grains and vegetables are relatively low on the glycemic index. This indicates that they are digested more slowly, so you don’t feel hungry soon. Similarly, fruit contains antioxidants and fibre, helping prolong the tummy’s fullness – an effective reason to reduce extra pounds from the body.
Improve Cholesterol
High cholesterol can increase the level of fatty deposits in the blood. This can restrict blood flow in the long run and may lead to heart attack, stroke, or heart disease. But according to a study published in The American Journal of Cardiology, a plant-based diet can lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol by between 10 -15%, while those following a strict vegan diet can lower their LDL cholesterol by as much as 25%
Decrease the Risk of Cancer
Plant-based foods contain phytochemicals, including fibre, vitamins, and minerals. A review published in Cancer Management and Research notes that these higher concentrations of antioxidant carotenoids, omega-3 fatty acids, and lower levels of saturated fatty acids found in vegetables and fruits can lower the risk for certain cancers by about 10%
However, being vegan is a lifestyle choice for some people, while it is a dietary choice for others. Going vegan is now easier with many delicious and healthy plant-based options.
If you are living in Melbourne and looking for a delicious vegan meal with a fine dine-in experience, look no further than Aagaman restaurant. We have the most extensive menu of Indian and Nepalese vegan dishes. Our vegan menu is deprived of meat, eggs, dairy products and all other animal-derived ingredients. We use soy milk instead of milk and vegan cream, vegan cheese and vegan mayonnaise in our vegan food items.