Many people in the world today are finding it difficult to get slimmer, improve heart health and be healthier. The good news is that with benefits of plant-based diets you can improve your overall well-being. They are whole, unrefined, or partially refined foods derived from plants. They are loaded with useful compounds such as fiber, minerals, vitamins, and phytonutrients.
A plant-based diet can also be referred to as vegan diet. It does not contain animal sources such as meats, eggs, and dairy products. There are many health benefits that plant-based diet can provide to people. Research has shown that it can lower high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, coronary artery disease and mortality rates.
A 2013 study by the National Institute of Health has shown that plant-based diets can lower the number of medications required to treat chronic health conditions. These days, physicians are recommending them to their patients. However, here are ten of the most important health benefits of plant-based diet you should know.
1. Plant-based diets drastically improve gut flora
Gut flora is the name used in describing groups of microorganisms that live in the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and other animals. Healthy gut flora is crucial to good health because they produce byproducts that fortify the intestinal tract. Gut flora can also help in fiber digestion and production of important vitamins.
You need a lot of gut flora that can prevent infection caused by other microorganisms. Excessive use of drugs and antibiotics can decrease the number of gut flora which consequently increases the number of other pathogens that harm the body. Research has shown that consumption of vegan food can increase the number of gut flora in the intestine and reduce the risk for a disease.
The human body tends to maintain maximum health when the gastrointestinal tract is functioning properly. So any activity that can improve the health of gastrointestinal tract should be encouraged.
2. You can burn excess fat quickly with plant-based diets
Whole food plays an important role in weight loss. A 2017 study by the American College of Nutrition has confirmed that participants who followed a variety of whole food diets such as vegetables, whole grains, fruits and legumes recorded visible weight loss compared to participants that didn’t consume whole food diets.
Another 2012 study by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics confirmed that regular consumption of fruits and whole grains can prevent obesity. A whole food diet is one of the best weight loss techniques you can employ to burn excess body fat.
3. It keeps you younger
Research has shown that plant-based diet can slow down the aging process. The increased telomerase activity of the plant-based diet is responsible for slowing down of the aging process. Telomerase is the enzyme that adding telomeres to the end of the chromosome so as to prevent them from becoming shorter during DNA replication.
Researchers have proved that aging process can slow down when there is a decrease in the loss of DNA telomeres. Fortunately, regular consumption of whole foods made from plants can increase telomerase activities which in turn slow down the loss of DNA telomerase.
4. It Lowers Fibromyalgia Pain
Fibromyalgia is referred to as the pain in the soft fibrous tissues of the human body. The pain can occur in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Fibromyalgia symptoms include increased pain, fatigue, insomnia, depressed mood, headaches, memory loss, inability to stay alert and much more.
A neuropsychologist specialist at the University of Michigan, suggests that fibromyalgia symptoms pose a great health risk to patients than other symptoms. Even American Fibromyalgia Syndrome Association pointed out that fibromyalgia pain can damage every part of a patient’s health.
The good news is that you can use unrefined foods obtained from plants to lower fibromyalgia pain. A 2015 observational study by the American Dietetic Association has shown that eating a vegan diet can reduce fibromyalgia pain than other treatment.
5. Clears your skin and removes acne
Acne is medically known as the Acne Vulgaris. It’s a disease that affects the skin’s oil glands. Acne affects people of all races and ages.
A 2016 survey published by the American Academy of Dermatology suggests that an estimated 80 percent of a person between the age of 11 and 30 have experienced acne at some point. Acne also affects people in their forties and fifties.
Acne is not a serious health threat, but it can leave annoying scars on the skin. Fortunately, research has confirmed that plant-based diets can clear up acne faster than medications, antibiotics, and cream. They contain an antioxidant compound that can exfoliate dead skin which gives way to the new healthy skin.
6. Cures Kidney Stones
Kidney stones mostly affect people aged 30 to 60 and can cause extreme pain known as renal colic. The waste products in the blood can come together to form crystals inside the kidney. The crystals after sometimes may build up, producing the kidney stone that looks like hard-stone.
After the formation of kidney stone, the body will try to pass it out either through feces or urine.
Researchers suggest that more than half of all people who have had kidney stones will experience them again in the next five years.
Fortunately, regular consumption of foods based on whole grains, fruits and vegetables can prevent the growth of kidney stones.
A 2010 study by the National Health Services has shown that participants who consumed more of whole food had a low albumin to creatinine ratio. The test shows higher albumin to creatinine ratio for participants that consumed nonwhole food. The albumin and creatinine ratio is a test used in detecting growth of kidney disease. The test clearly shows that with a plant-based diet, you can to achieve and maintain good kidney health.
7. Plant-based diets reduce belly fat fast
It can be a daunting task participating in a physical exercise which can burn excess fat in your abdominal. Most people that struggle to burn abdominal fat failed to adopt whole plant-based diet. You don’t have to eat less and exercise more before you can burn excess body fat.
A research has shown that with the right plant-based diets, you can lose and maintain a healthy weight. The plant-based diet contains a variety of fiber and phytochemicals that can burn abdominal fat. If you’re not comfortable with the excess fat around your waistline, then start eating a diet derived from plants.
8. Eases symptoms of Asthma
Asthma is a chronic disease that affects lungs and airways. It leads to constant coughing, chest tightness, and difficulty in breathing. The National Heart Institute, suggest that asthma affects more than 25 million people in the United States.
Asthma has no cure, but there are activities that can prevent the symptoms from getting worse. A recent research has shown that vegan diets can reduce the symptoms of asthma. A 2012 study by the National Institutes of Health has shown that children who regularly consumed vegan diets have fewer symptoms of asthma compared to children that don’t eat vegan diets.
9. Relief Dysmenorrhea
Dysmenorrhea is a medical term that describes the symptoms of painful menstruation. A 2010 article released by Upsala Journal of Medical Sciences, suggest that dysmenorrhea is associated with crampy pelvic pain that manifests shortly before or at the onset of menses. This medical condition can last one to three days.
Research on the prevalence of menstrual pain suggests that various factors that can cause dysmenorrhea to include ovarian cysts, irregular cycles, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease and much more.
A recent research has shown that vegan diets can relieve menstrual pain from women suffering from with dysmenorrhea. Vegan diets that can prevent dysmenorrhea include fruits, whole grains, high fiber, vegetables and beans
10. Plant-based diets are good for your Oral health.
A 2016 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has shown that plant-based diets can protect against periodontal diseases that leads to tooth loss. Consumption of whole plant-based diets can prevent the development of gingivitis, reduce bad breath and the risk of other related oral diseases.
Plant-based diets contain powerful compounds that destroy abundant bacteria that feast on food particles left behind after eating. The bacteria that cause tooth decay cannot withstand the chemicals in plant-based diets.
The antioxidant properties of plant-based diets can reduce the risk of periodontal diseases. Research suggests that diets high in vegetables, fruits, and plant-based foods can prevent the development of oral cancer.