A varied vegan diet (including a reliable source of vitamin B12) provides all the nutrients you need while lowering the risk of all the big killer diseases; obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer and for people with diabetes and heart disease, it may even help reverse their diagnosis. A healthy vegan diet doesn’t contain many of the pro-inflammatory compounds found in meat and dairy, the cancer-causing chemicals in meat nor the hormones in animal milk. Vegans also have lower levels of the growth hormone IGF-1 than meat-eaters, which may be why they have a 16 to 19 per cent lower risk of all cancers. Furthermore, fruit, vegetables, wholegrains, pulses, nuts and seeds are packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that protect health. Overall, a healthy vegan diet provides health-protective nutrients and lacks the harmful substances found in animal products.
10 reasons to go vegan and thrive
1. YOU’LL FEEL GREAT!
A healthy vegan diet is packed with foods providing a wide range of nutrients that give you energy, are easy on your digestive system, support your immune system, help clear-up your skin and improve your mood.
Studies show that vegans eat better than any other diet groups, have sufficient intake of all essential nutrients and lower risk of many diseases.
2. YOU’LL MAKE YOUR HEART BETTER!
Heart disease (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, narrowing of arteries, stroke and heart attack) is much less common among vegans compared to the rest of the population. And not only can a vegan diet help prevent heart disease, it can also treat it!
3. YOU’LL SLASH YOUR RISK OF CANCER!
Cancer is a major threat to our health today but a vegan diet can significantly reduce the risk of cancer in general and even more so for some types of cancer.
4. YOUR GUT WILL THANK YOU!
Research shows vegans have the best gut bacteria – the most protective, friendly species. On the other hand, meat-eaters have the most toxic bacteria, encouraging inflammation and producing harmful substances. A vegan diet can also help alleviate various bowel conditions and protect from bowel cancer.
5. YOU CAN PREVENT OR EVEN REVERSE TYPE 2 DIABETES!
Vegans have a much lower chance of developing diabetes and many clinical trials have demonstrated that a low-fat vegan diet can completely reverse type 2 diabetes. And there are no side effects! Just expect to feel good!
6. YOU’LL SLOW DOWN BRAIN AGING!
A wholesome vegan diet can decrease your risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
7. YOU’LL HAVE MORE ENERGY!
A vegan diet is full of healthy foods that give you plenty of energy. Most of all, complex carbohydrates that release their energy gradually and our bodies are made to run on them. So much so that countless athletes have turned to a vegan diet to improve their performance.
8. YOU’LL AGE BETTER!
A wealth of data shows that vegans are healthier compared to the rest of the population well into advanced age. As a vegan, you’re less likely to die prematurely and of any of the dreaded diseases (such as cancer or heart disease).
9. YOU’LL BE ABLE TO BREATHE EASY!
Cutting out dairy often helps to clear out airways and a vegan diet can significantly improve the health of asthma sufferers, reducing the frequency and severity of asthma attacks. Going vegan can also reduce your risk of developing a range of chronic airway diseases and protect your lungs.
10. YOU’LL BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN HEALTHY WEIGHT EASIER!
Vegans are the absolute winners in terms of healthy weight. You can eat to your heart’s (and stomach’s) desire as a vegan but, because of what you’re eating, it’s much easier to maintain healthy weight. But don’t worry about being too skinny, research consistently shows that vegans don’t tend to be underweight either and when you realise how much delicious food you can eat, it’s no wonder!
Learn more about vegan nutrition, see the science behind these statements or try our unique FREE 30 Day Vegan or V7 seven-day programmes.