1. Nutrition Rich
Vegan diet is rich in a wide variety of nutrients like vitamins, minerals, iron, protein, calcium, etc. It is also packed with high amount of fiber and antioxidants, while being low on saturated fats. This takes care of most of the health issues we face today like – obesity, diabetes, BP, etc.
2. Low Cholesterol
Egg, fish and meat are high on cholesterol, and so are the dairy based foods. Remove them from your diet and you’ll be done with all the dietary cholesterol. Following a well planned vegan diet is in fact the most effective way to keep cardiovascular disease at bay, the disease that kills over 1 million Americans every year.
3. Boosts Immunity
Fruits and vegetables give phytochemicals in abundance thus helping your body fight various diseases. The nutrients and anti-oxidants in a plant-based diet boost the immune system, making it capable of fighting against a disease as dangerous as cancer.
4. Weight Loss
Obesity can be the root cause of many health problems like diabetes, BP, heart ailments, etc. Vegan diet is the perfect solution for those looking to lose weight. Cut down on meat and dairy products and you will notice a huge drop in the amount of saturated fats in your body. In a research conducted by Preventive Medicine Research Institute, Sausalito (California), it was found that an overweight person can lose 24 pounds in the first year by just switching to a low-fat vegetarian diet.
5. Longevity
Several studies have been conducted on the life span of vegans vs. meat eaters, and vegan diet has come out as a clear winner. Vegans or vegetarians are found to live at least 3 to 6 years longer than their omnivorous friends. According to Dr. Michael Roizen, author of the bestseller ‘RealAge Diet: Make Yourself Younger with What You Eat’, migrating to vegan diet from standard American diet can extend your life by 13 more years.
6. No Meat Borne Diseases
When you avoid eating meat, you also steer clear of all those meat-borne diseases. According to United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are about 76 million food-borne illnesses in the US every year, resulting in over 5,000 deaths and 325,000 hospitalizations. And according to FDA, protein rich foods like meat, seafood and poultry are the major culprits for these outbreaks of illnesses.
7. Glow and Beauty
It is true that what you eat shows up in your looks. Most vegans have healthy, glowing skin, and it’s not just a coincidence; fruits and vegetables have a big role to play. Turning to meatless diet substantially reduces blemishes, bad breath and body odor. Vegan diet also gives you stronger and healthier hair and nails.
8. Environmentally Friendly
It’s no more a secret that going meat-free helps reduce pollution. About 95 percent of toxic chemicals in the American diet can be traced to meat and dairy products. Processing and transporting of meat and feed consumes a huge amount of fossil fuel and results in carbon dioxide emission. Here is more on how the meat industry is destroying the environment.
9. Saves Money
Vegan diet is not only good for your health and environment but it’s also way cheaper than animal based diet. On an average, an American eats 200 pounds of meat that accounts for 10 percent of their food spending. Now if you replace this intake of meat with plant-based food, you can cut down your annual food spending by about $4,000.
10. Mental Strength
The real strength comes from truthful conscience. Just imagine the peace of mind you get when the soul deep inside you praises you for not hurting other creatures just for the sake of pleasing your taste buds!