5 Reasons You Should be a Vegan


Unfortunately, those who follow a vegan lifestyle are often stereotyped as hippies or crazed animal lovers. This dietary choice is commonly found in more progressive and urban areas, but the myths about what they eat and why they eat are generally way off track. For many, a vegan diet is about health benefits and weight loss potential. Research shows positive results in areas of heart health, diabetes protection, and certain cancers. These are four reasons why you may want to consider becoming a vegan.

1. Nutrient-Rich Diets

When you make the switch from a traditional diet to vegan, you will cut all animal and meat products from your diet. Since meat and dairy are generally staples of a Western meal, you will need to look to other food sources. Many turn to fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and beans for their nutrition. This leads to a higher daily intake of nutrients like fiber, antioxidants, and potassium, vitamins A, C, or E, folate, and magnesium. However, some vegan options might not provide you the necessary amount of calcium, fatty acids, zinc, or vitamin B12.  There are vegan supplement options that can help fill these voids, such as cocoa flavanol products, which can help keep your nutritional intake in balance.

2. Improved Kidney Function

There is some research showing that going vegan has a positive effect on type 2 diabetes, as well as helps reduce the decline in kidney function. When compared to the traditional eater, vegans have higher insulin sensitivity, which reduced their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. They also to have blood sugar levels that are much lower than those on inclusive meat diets. In comparison with diets issued from major health organizations, people with diabetes who followed vegan options reported lower blood sugar levels than those who followed prescribed plans. The people with diabetes were able to reduce their medications and noticed improved kidney function.


3. Weight Loss

Dieting trends have more people turning to a vegan lifestyle, as plant-based diets are shown to effective at shedding excess weight.  Although vegans often look thinner solely on observation, research shows that the average BMI among vegans lower than that of non-vegans. Research studies, conducted through randomized control methods, have found that vegan diets also prove more productive with significant weight loss efforts when compare to alternative dieting protocols. These vegan dieting plans weren’t purposely calorie-restrictive, making it easier for vegans to feel still full and yet lose weight. Vegan diets naturally reduce calorie intake.

4. Cancer Protection

As a leading authority in all things medical, the World Health Organization has advised that one-third of all cancers can be prevented when you control your diet (among other factors). Eating legumes can help reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, but increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables to up at least seven portions a day may help to reduce your risk of life-threatening cancer by about 15%. This improved longevity was confirmed through a recent review of research studies comparing diets of non-vegans and vegans. It isn’t just about what is included, but what is excluded that provides health benefits. Avoiding certain animal products is said to reduce your risk of breast, prostate, or colon cancers. Dairy products are also excluded from vegan diets, which some studies show increased risk factors for breast and prostate cancers.

The research behind a vegan lifestyle is promising, but it doesn’t guarantee you won’t fall ill or be diagnosed with cancer at some point in your life. The best recommendation for being healthy is filling your body with healthy, nutrient-rich foods, staying active, and avoiding harmful toxins or pollutants, both internally and externally. If you are thinking about changing your diet towards a vegan influence, you will find it can be beneficial for getting your internal health on track.

