The Power and Benefits of Plant-Based Diets

We live in a world in which new diet trends seem to pop up every week. It’s hard to keep up with the latest fads in the world of dieting when what’s popular today is forgotten about by tomorrow. However, this constant revolving door of dietary choices does illustrate an important point.

When a particular type of diet becomes popular and then stays at the forefront of the health and wellness world, it’s safe to assume that there is something of substance to it.

The popularity of plant-based diets is proof that these diets work. While many people think of vegetarianism or veganism as a way to lose weight quickly, there are actually other benefits associated with adopting a plant-based diet.

Even if you’re not ready to cut out meat completely, implementing more plant-based dietary choices into your daily routine is a great way to improve your health and wellness.

Today, learn all about the power of plant-based diets. Whether you’re looking for a way to drop a few pounds, or you want to be more mindful of the impact that you’re having on the environment, a plant-based diet is a powerful tool.

Reduced Risk of Type-2 Diabetes

Most experts agree that our modern society is at a greater risk of type 2 diabetes than any generation before. This is largely because everything we do, including the food choices that we make, is largely based on convenience.

We choose a fast-food drive-thru instead of home-cooked meals because it’s faster and we have things to do. We choose microwavable foods that are filled with unhealthy ingredients instead of fresh vegetables and other healthy items because it’s faster.

Plant-based foods, like vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains are much healthier than the preservative-laden foods that we often choose in the name of convenience. Since type-2 diabetes is linked to obesity, the healthier food options found in a plant-based diet are natural combatants against it.

Plant-based diets are also filled with fiber, which plays a crucial role in controlling blood sugar levels. Since high-fiber foods slow down the digestive process, sugar gets released into the bloodstream at a slower rate, which prevents sharp spikes in glucose levels.

When you consider the litany of health problems that stem from type 2 diabetes, it’s easy to see why taking steps to prevent it is a great idea.

Improved Cardiovascular Health

Heart disease is the leading cause of death among Americans. One of the most terrifying parts about this fact is that many people don’t realize that they have any type of heart disease until it’s too late.

While regular exercise is one of the most powerful ways to combat heart disease, it’s also important to make the right dietary choices. Adopting a plant-based diet promotes heart health by lowering cholesterol, controlling blood pressure, and through a number of other factors.

Many of the foods that you eat are filled with saturated fat. This is especially true if you frequently eat fast food. These saturated fats wreak havoc on your cardiovascular health.

Conversely, leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and other plant-based foods are low in saturated fat while also providing plenty of nutrients that your body needs.

Not only does the fiber found in plant-based foods lower blood sugar as we’ve already discussed, but it also helps reduce your cholesterol, which helps protect your arteries. Plant-based foods are also loaded with potassium and magnesium, both of which play a major role in keeping your blood pressure low. This allows your heart to face less stress.

Many people believe that adopting a plant-based diet means they have to cut out meat altogether or adopt a vegan diet. That’s not the case. Replacing even one of your daily meals with a plant-based meal is a great way to invest in your heart health.

Better Digestive Health

Gut health plays a major role in your overall well-being, and a plant-based diet, filled with fiber-rich foods is one of the best ways to improve your digestive health.

Fiber is the most important nutrient when it comes to keeping your bowels regular and avoiding constipation. This is why doctors often encourage their patients who don’t eat a balanced diet to get fiber supplements from their local pharmacy.

Fortunately, it’s easier than you think to increase your fiber intake and help protect yourself against irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive issues.

Your digestive tract is home to countless bacteria that your body uses to break down the foods that you eat. When many people hear the word “bacteria,” they think of bad things that cause colds and other infections, but the bacteria in your digestive tract are an important part of your overall health and wellness.

These bacteria thrive on the nutrients that come from plant-based foods such as fruits and veggies, making them an excellent choice for those who want better GI health.

Additionally, a plant-based diet helps cut down on the amount of inflammation in the digestive tract. Too much inflammation in your digestive system is linked to Crohn’s, colitis, and a wide array of other diseases.

Again, you don’t have to cut out meats completely to adopt a plant-based diet. Consider replacing some or all of your daily snacks with plant-based alternatives and enjoy a healthier digestive system.

Slowing Down the Aging Process

While there’s not really a fountain of youth that you can dip in and turn back the hands of time, adopting a plant-based diet is shown to help slow down the signs of aging, which is something that people have longed for over the years.

Oxidative stress is one of the primary contributors to aging, and plant-based foods help fight that process. This not only keeps your skin looking healthier, but also improves your eyesight, hearing, and other body systems that typically falter with age.

Over the years, scientists have performed countless studies on animals and those studies indicate that animals that only eat plants live longer than those that survive primarily on meat.

There are also studies that indicate that people who primarily consume plants are less likely to deal with Alzheimer’s and other chronic diseases that often come with aging.

Lessen Your Environmental Impact

In our modern society, most people are looking for ways to lessen the impact that they have on the environment. While it’s natural to consider things like electric vehicles, recycling, and other behavioral changes, adopting a plant-based diet is another way to do your part to protect the world that we live in.

Producing animal products requires the use of more natural resources than the production of plant-based food. Livestock farming is one of the leading causes of damage to the atmosphere because of the release of greenhouse gases.

While you may not be able to change the world on your own, cutting back on the amount of meat that you eat and replacing it with plant-based options is a great way to do your part to cut back on the harmful gases flowing into the atmosphere.

Embracing a Plant-Based Diet

The food that you eat doesn’t only have an impact on you. It also has the potential to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases that are emitted into the atmosphere every year.

If you’re considering adopting a plant-based diet, don’t be afraid to start slow by changing the food that you eat during a single meal.

Over time, you may find that eating more plant-based options leaves you feeling better than you have in years. Be patient with yourself and don’t be afraid to experiment with your plant-based journey.