It is no secret the newer generations are more sustainably minded.
We are living in a world where we care about the bees, deforestation, excessive plastic use, and our carbon footprint.
One of the ways that you can support the health of the planet, and your own health is to look at the benefits of going vegan.
Veganism, according to The Vegan Society is defined as, “a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose.”
Here are 7 Benefits of the Vegan Lifestyle
1. Veganism reduces many major health risks such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.
There is always the joke of the “All-American Manly-Man” who loves to just eat meat (think Red on That 70’s Show and Ron Swanson on Parks and Recreation) yet one day, they go to the doctor only to find out they are at risk of heart disease and need to make major diet changes.
They are banned from all their favorites: steak, burgers, pepperoni, and bacon!
The National Institutes of Health inform us that this is because of the high saturated fat levels found in red meats that clog the arteries.
In addition, the American Cancer Society elaborates that the International Agency for Research on Cancer has named processed meats as a known carcinogen causing cancer and red meats as a probable carcinogen.
It makes sense that cutting these meats can help reduce your risk of major health complications.
2. Veganism can improve your disposition.
Australian research, promoted by The Vegan Society tells us that in a study they performed, participants were reporting improved dispositions and ease of their depression, anxiety, and productivity after over four months of practicing the new lifestyle.
This is attributed to improved nutrient intake as veganism is a much more health conscious lifestyle requiring vegans to be aware of the ingredients they are putting in their body.
Ingesting the appropriate nutrients promotes a healthy brain, leading to the nerve cells communicating through neurotransmitters which include dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.
These chemicals affect mood, motivation, energy, and focus.
3. Veganism promotes natural ingredients.
Another attribute to veganism is their use of natural ingredients.
As defined, vegans avoid any sort of animal byproducts; this includes all dairy, eggs, honey, and fish.
By eliminating these products, vegans must be mindful to nourish their bodies with the right nutrients and therefore must make sure to incorporate plenty of vegetables, fruits, and nuts into their diets, leading to meals full of natural ingredients.
Thankfully, today we live in a world where veganism is more widely popular than it has been in the past, making vegan products more widely available such as vegan cheeses, dressings, milk alternatives, and even convincing meat alternatives.
A major challenge for vegans, however, is finding ways to incorporate adequate protein into their diets.
A great and convenient way of doing this is by fitting vegan meal replacement shakes into your daily routine.
Many are simple grab and go products or require little prep such as mixing a powder supplement with water.
eNutrition Academy has a great article that breaks down many choices along with the pros and cons.
4. Veganism promotes healthy skin.
By going vegan, you can experience the benefit of healthier, glowing skin. The National Library of Medicine published a study that demonstrates and explains how dairy products can lead to acne prone skin.
Those who engage in a vegan diet can expect to find clearer, less inflamed skin due to cutting dairy and meats that can cause inflammation.
5. Veganism can help with arthritis and other inflammatory diseases
Whitney E. RD. published an article that goes over the details about the impact of red meat on individuals with arthritis and similar diseases.
A natural chemical marker, inflammatory markers like c-reactive protein (CRP), is found in red meats.
By cutting your intake or eliminating it altogether, you are exposing your body to less chance of inflammation.
Personally, I suffer from arthritis and have since I was young.
I used to struggle so much with inflammation it led to being hospitalized many times.
At twelve years old, my doctor suggested cutting meats from my diet- we were out of management options and looking for any means of relief from the severe pain I was experiencing.
After a few months, I immediately began to notice a substantial difference. My hospital visits dwindled and my school attendance went up.
Now, nearly 15 years later I could never look back.
6. Veganism is sustainable.
Another great benefit of veganism is that it is a sustainable lifestyle.
A study done by Frontiers in Nutrition showed that veganism could cut greenhouse emissions by 49.6 percent, cumulative energy demand by 26.9 percent, and land occupation by 41.5 percent.
A major contributor would be that animal plants would be far less in demand as well as their processed meat factory counterparts.
7. Veganism can help with weight loss and weight management.
Veganism can even help with weight loss and management.
By going vegan, you cut a lot of fat and processed foods from your diet and instead consume much more health-conscious options such as vegetables and fruits.
These products are often lower in calories than their fatty counterparts such as dairy and meat.
However, going vegan doesn’t instantly mean you will lose weight.
Try to avoid overindulging on pastas and other starches that are vegan.
The key to losing weight as a vegan without trying is by incorporating as many fruits and vegetables into your diet as possible.
This helps keep calories down while promoting great nutrient intake which can help your metabolism.
By eliminating most processed foods and inflammatory foods, your bodies metabolic rate can increase helping lead to weight loss, according to an article published by Huffpost.
Overall, there are many benefits to going vegan. In a world moving toward conscientiousness of our surroundings, this diet and lifestyle provide a sustainable future.
Veganism contributes to many health benefits that can lead to a longer, happier life.
Try starting small with “Meatless Mondays.”
From there, you can experience for yourself the many benefits of going vegan that will hopefully help you never look back and move towards this fantastic lifestyle.