Vegan dieters make up a low percentage of Americans, as this type of restrictive diet lacking animal-based foods can be difficult to follow. In fact, the Vegetarian Resource Group says just 3 percent of the population follows vegetarian (including vegan) diets all the time. However, despite the fact few Americans eat entirely plant-based diets, doing so can provide numerous health and wellness benefits.
Healthy Weight Management
Following a vegan plant-based diet makes it much easier to shed pounds, maintain a healthy body weight, and avoid obesity. A 2016 study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine says vegetarian diets are more effective for weight loss than non-vegetarian diets, with vegan diets being the most effective. Vegetarian diets are often associated with lower body mass indexes (BMIs). A 2014 study published in Nutrition Journal found average BMIs were lowest in vegan and pesco-vegetarian dieters compared with lacto-ovo and lacto-vegetarians. So if maintaining a healthy weight is your goal, becoming vegan can help you get there.
Lower Heart Disease Risks
Another main perk of vegan dieting is reduced heart disease risks. This makes sense because saturated fat found in high amounts in animal fat is one contributor of this deadly disease. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine suggests going vegan yields the lowest risk of heart disease as it keeps saturated fat low and steers clear of cholesterol entirely. A 2016 issue of Permanente Journal says plant-based diets naturally provide just five to six percent of total calories from saturated fat, which meets the American Heart Association's heart-healthy guidelines. Vegan dieting's effects on overweight and obesity prevention is another reason this type of diet helps lower heart disease risks.
Cancer Prevention
Cancer is a leading cause of death in the U.S., and vegan dieting is one way to lower cancer risks significantly. Cancer-protective phytochemicals found in fruits, veggies and other plant-based foods is one reason why. According to a study published at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) says vegetarians are less likely than non-vegetarian dieters to develop cancer, and animal products (meat and dairy foods) may contribute to many types of cancer (breast, ovarian, prostate and colon).
Lower Thyroid Disease Risks
Thyroid disease (hypo- and hyperthyroidism) might be more common than you think in the U.S. The American Thyroid Association says more than 12 percent of the U.S. population will experience thyroid disease at some point in their lifetime. However, choosing a vegan diet appears to help protect you against developing thyroid problems. One 2014 study published in Public Health Nutrition found eating only plant-based foods appears to cut the prevalence of hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone) in half, and a 2013 study in the journal Nutrients says vegan diets appear to be associated with a lower risk of hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone).
Diabetes Risk Reduction
Yet another disease vegan dieting can help you steer clear of is diabetes. The Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine says plant-based diets help control (and sometimes eliminate) type 2 diabetes when used as part of a low-fat, high-fiber meal plan along with regular exercise. That's because fiber and complex carbs (combined with low-fat dieting) helps insulin work more efficiently, which better regulates blood sugar levels allowing insulin-dependent diabetics to reduce the amount of insulin needed.
Reduced Carbon Footprint
If you're concerned about greenhouse gas emissions and global warming, cutting your intake of animal-based foods can help. A 2014 study published in the journal Climate Change found dietary greenhouse gas emissions in meat eaters were about two times as high as those of vegan dieters.
Less Animal Cruelty
Let's face it, animals being raised to be slaughtered is disturbing to some people, and it's difficult to know for sure what type of conditions these animals are kept in. For some people, avoiding meat (and other animal-based foods like dairy) gives peace of mind knowing no animal is suffering to put food on the table.
No Antibiotics or Growth Hormone
Another reason vegans follow plant-based diets is to avoid antibiotics and growth hormone found in meats and dairy foods. The 2016 study in Permanente Journal says 70 to 80 percent of U.S. antibiotics are give to healthy livestock, which contributes to antibiotic-resistant infections that can be serious (even fatal) in people. Researchers in this study say insulin-like growth factor, a hormone naturally found in animals, fosters growth in adults that can promote cancer.
Healthy Skin Benefits
Going vegan even has benefits for your skin! A 2010 study in the Indian Journal of Dermatology reports antioxidants (which are abundant in fruit- and veggie-rich vegan diets) help protect your skin from damage and skin conditions caused by nutrient deficiencies.
Going Vegan
Numerous health and wellness benefits exist when following plant-based diets. Because this type of diet is pretty restrictive, it's important to get in good variety of proteins, carbs and healthy fats and take a multivitamin supplement if your doctor recommends it to prevent deficiencies.
