The vegan diet is one which excludes any animal products. Vegans do not eat dairy products, eggs, seafood, fish, meat or bee products (bee pollen, honey, etc.). The vegan diet consists mostly of grains, seeds, nuts, soy, vegetables and fruits. Nowadays, there are many substitutes available for all animal products that even non – vegans enjoy. There is nut milk to replace the cow’s milk, nectar to replace honey, as well as many other products to replace meat and cheese.
Not many people can become vegans, because it is not easy process, but people who are already vegans can enjoy in many health benefits. Fresh produce can be prepared at home. Here are some health benefits of the vegan diet:
Vegan diet can help to lower cholesterol
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The vegan diet can help to lower the cholesterol levels. You should avoid foods that have bad kinds of fat – saturated fat and trans – fat. Foods that have these kinds of fats include meat, butter and full – dairy products and vegans avoid them.
Vegan diet can help to lower inflammation
The diet which is rich in antioxidants can help to lower the inflammation in the body. The vegan diet is rich in inflammatory foods and antioxidants which can lower the risk of chronic inflammation and inflammatory diseases. The vegan diet can help you to stay away from inflammatory diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, arthritis, asthma, allergies and many others.
The anti – inflammatory diet includes foods that are high in fiber, many servings of vegetables and fruits, little or no saturated fats and healthy Omega – 3 fatty acids.
Rich in essential nutrients
It has been shown that vegan diet is rich in phytochemicals, antioxidants and fiber and all of them are beneficial plant compounds. Also, vegans consume more folate, magnesium, potassium and Vitamins A, C and E on daily basis compared with non – vegans. Vegans need to ensure that they are getting enough of other nutrients which are mainly found in animal products, like zinc, iodine, iron, Vitamin B12 and certain fatty acids.
Rich in antioxidants
The vegan diet has more seeds, nuts, legumes, vegetables and fruits that the diet of a non – vegan. All of the mentioned foods have antioxidants, which are components that inhibit oxidation and they can protect the body from cancer, disease, aging and chronic inflammation.
Gut health
The vegan diet is rich in fibrous foods which can keep the digestive system running smoothly. Also, these foods are rich in other essential nutrients, which are absorbed into the bloodstream through the intestines (the center of the immune system and the body’s second brain. The diet which is rich in animal products may result in slow digestion and this often leads to constipation. Vegans can enjoy smooth digestion which allows greater bioavailability of nutrients from the foods that they eat.
Vegans consume more plant – based foods, which have probiotics (this is good bacteria which gut needs to flourish). Vegans have a unique gut profile and they display an abundance of pathobionts and benefit from the lower inflammation and greater protective health effects.
Cardiovascular health
It has been shown that vegans tend to have lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels compared to people who eat meat regularly. This has a major impact on the cardiovascular health and it can reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular disease. The circulatory system is responsible for supplying oxygen to all of the organs and limbs, so a healthy circulatory system means that you will have a healthy body overall.
Lower blood pressure
There are some studies in which are said that nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure and many of them are not aware. If the high blood pressure is left uncontrolled, then it can lead to angina, kidney disease, stroke, heart attack, etc. In one study done in 2002 was noticed that people aged 20 – 78 showed a significantly lower prevalence of hypertension and lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure overall among vegans, than in meat – eating groups.
