10 BENEFITS OF SWITCHING TO A PLANT-BASED DIET
Switching to a plant-based diet is something many people can’t imagine. What most people are unaware of are the many benefits that come with this type of diet. According to health experts, going plant-based is one of the best ways of improving your health. Almost every part of the body benefits when you eat more vegetables, fruits, legumes, and nuts.
There are many reasons why people decide to switch to a plant-based diet. Some do so for health reasons while others for environmental concerns associated with factory farming.
Plant-based diets mainly focus on grains, seeds, fresh produce nuts, and whole grains.
Below Are 10 Benefits of A Plant-Based Diet
1. Reduced Inflammation
Inflammation is often caused by white blood cells fighting against invaders like irritation and pathogens. When it comes to autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks normal and healthy issues in the body.
Experts largely attribute an overactive inflammatory response to chronic disorders such as heart problems and Type 2 diabetes. Exercise and diet have big effects on inflammation but nutrients commonly found in vegetables and fruits have been found to reduce inflammation.
2. Improved Gut Health
Plant-based diets have been linked to better gut health. But science says that there are many more benefits attributed to plan-based diets including the immune systems, mood improvement, and better metabolism. This is mainly because of the antioxidants and fiber found in plants that protect body cells from getting damaged.
3. It Supports the Immune System
Research shows that 80% of your immune system is domiciled in the gastrointestinal tract. That’s why it is important for the immune system to have a healthy microbiome. There’s no better way of doing that than feeding the good bacteria found in the body.
Most of the fiber found in foods such as artichokes and bananas act as prebiotics that is food for the bacteria. Additionally, plant foods have plenty of nutrients that can help bolster the immune system.
4. Helps Maintain a Healthy Weight
There’s overwhelming evidence showing that regular consumption of fruits and vegetables can help you lose weight. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables promotes long-term weight loss or weight stability in women. One of the reasons could be because vegetables and fruits help you feel satisfied much faster.
5. Increased Energy
Have you ever found yourself feeling fatigued and without energy? This could probably as a result of the foods you eat. Highly processed foods and those with plenty of refined sugars tend to slow you down. They often take more energy and a long time to process.
But a plant-based diet boosts energy and is easier to digest. KIKI Heath offers a wide variety of plant-based foods and supplements that can help boost your energy and keep you healthy.
6. Lowers Cholesterol
Eating foods that are highly processed, meat, saturated fats, and other animal products result in high levels of cholesterol. Considering the fact that a plant-based diet doesn’t have animal products, no processed foods, or saturated fats, it can be a great solution for individuals with high cholesterol.
7. Prevents and Reverses Diseases
A plant-based diet has been proven by research to prevent and even rebel against diseases like type 2 diabetes. The diet can also prevent a number of chronic diseases. It comprises wholesome and nutrient-dense foods that work with almost every part of your body to keep it healthy. This is contrary to meat and other animal products that can easily clog your arteries
8. It Keeps Your Heart Healthy
Switching to a plant-based diet means substituting trans fats and unhealthy saturated fats with plant-based fasts that come with heart-protective polyunsaturated fats.
9. It Keeps Your Heart Healthy
Going plant-based also helps in lowering your blood pressure. People who consume a lot of processed food and sugary drinks tend to experience common cases of high blood pressure. Diet can directly cause high blood pressure. Switching to a plant-based diet helps reduce the chances of developing high blood pressure.
10. It Keeps Your Heart Healthy
There’s an increased number of professional athletes who are switching to plant-based foods to improve their performance.
Conclusion
In recent years, more and more people are switching to plant-based diets because of the many benefits associated with them. A plant-based diet has been proved to reduce inflammation, improve gut health, and prevent certain diseases among other benefits.
Guest article written by Hannah Boothe
Hannah Boothe is a freelance writer native to Northern California who spends her free time developing herself. Hannah enjoys the outdoors, she goes hiking whenever the weather permits and enjoys practicing yoga. She carves out time to journal and read whenever she can. She loves adventure and connecting with those around her.