Vegan diets are continuously gaining popularity, and for a good reason! There are numerous studies available proving that adopting a vegan diet can significantly improve your overall health. In fact, one of the most impressive statistics surrounding a vegan diet states that since vegans tend to eat seven or even more pieces of fruit and vegetable per day, they have a 33% reduced risk of premature death! Another study conducted at Oxford University’s Martin School found that by the year 2050, widespread adoption of a plant-based diet would actually prevent 8.1 million premature death’s each year. Yes, you heard that right. 8.1 million! These numbers were calculated based off of factors due to things like a reduction in processed and red meats, which have actually been classified by the World Health Organisation as carcinogenic due to the potential risk for colorectal cancer.

The truth is that no matter how you look at that statistic,  that’s a pretty impressive number, and to think that such as drastic improvement in health can come from a dietary change is incredible.

If you’re thinking about going vegan and you need that extra push to push you in the direction of plant-based eating, here are five facts about why vegan diets can improve your health and even add years onto your life.

1. Vegans Have a Reduced Risk of Heat Disease

This is one of the most impressive health benefits a vegan diet holds, and many research studies have favorably found that a vegan diet cuts the risk of heart disease. If you need some concrete evidence to believe this, a study conducted in Europe found that vegetarians had a reduced risk of ischemic heart disease potentially due to healthier cholesterol and blood pressure values. The study was done by measuring BMI, cholesterol, and blood pressure values from both vegetarians and nonvegetarians.  If the results are this favorable for vegetarians, imagine how great they would be for vegans!

2. Vegan Diets Cut the Risk of Prostate Cancer

If you’re anything like the majority of the population, finding any way to decrease the risk of cancer is something you are probably interested in learning about. As it turns out, adopting a vegan diet has shown to help reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer, according to the American Cancer Society accounts for approximately 27% incident cancers among men which is quite a large number. The great news is that dietary modifications may be able to reduce the risk. A health study was done that evaluated dietary patterns between various different types of dieting including diets such as nonvegetarian, vegetarian, and vegan against prostate cancer incidence among a total of 26,346 male patients. The outcome of this study found that a vegan diet may reduce the risk of this type of cancer! One more reason to go vegan.

3. Vegan Diets Have Additional Heart Health Benefits

It seems like our parents were right, eating fruits and veggies are the foundation to a healthy diet, and they certainly play a huge role in supporting heart health. Many studies have found that eating diets primarily consisting of plants generally prove to lower high blood pressure, and reduce cholesterol levels as compared to diets heavy in meat products.

4. Vegan Diet’s are Weight Loss Friendly

Here’s a health benefit that everyone is probably interested in hearing about! If you do a vegan diet right and you focus on whole and natural foods this diet can be very weight loss friendly. With lots of high fiber food options to fill you up, you’re less likely to overeat. Eating a vegan diet also forces you to pay more attention to getting in your fruits and veggies each day which are lower in calories and bursting with nutritional value to keep you healthy and to keep your metabolism running. For a delicious high fiber, high protein and of course weight loss friendly superfood try adding chia seeds into a smoothie or on top of your morning bowl of oatmeal.

5. Vegan Diets are Loaded with Vitamins and Minerals

In today’s society, it’s common to find nutritional deficiencies due to low-quality foods packed with artificial ingredients that strip the body of essential vitamins and minerals. The body is often overfed but highly undernourished which is why vegan diets are such an excellent choice. With a diet focusing primarily on plants you can easily get in lot’s of vitamins and minerals every day to fuel your body right. Fruits, veggies, and grains are often high in vitamins C, A, E, and minerals such as magnesium, and of course antioxidants to keep the body fighting against free radicals and germs. Nuts and seeds are also excellent sources of minerals and protein, and they work as a great oatmeal topper. For a plant-based mineral packed porridge topper, take a look at the original Wyldsson porridge topper.

If you’re thinking about going vegan, or if you’ve already started a vegan diet you are doing your body a world of good! Don’t think vegan diets limit your options; there are hundreds of delicious and nourishing vegan foods that you can add into your diet to promote health, add years onto your life, prevent disease and of course satisfy your sweet tooth. For some plant-based inspiration check out some of the Wyldsson products here for a great selection of healthy foods to get you started on your plant-based journey.

Resources:

https://www.vegansociety.com/go-vegan/health

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23364007

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26561618

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/jasmijn-de-boo/food-health_b_7671190.html