1. Reduces inflammation

Have you ever felt bloated after eating a meat-laden meal? Perhaps, dairy is your worst enemy, causing multiple bathroom trips at the most inconvenient times. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Statistics reveal that around 20% of the UK population experience food hypersensitivity. In worst-case scenarios, these intolerances can morph into chronic inflammatory conditions like inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). [Source: Allergy UK]

However, a plant-based diet might help solve your tummy and toilet troubles. Diets high in processed meat and saturated fat are associated with inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP) – a protein in the blood that indicates high inflammation levels. In contrast, plant-based diets jam-packed with fibre yield lower CRP levels in medical studies.

Plus, plant-based recipes promote healthy gut bacteria. Studies suggest that eating whole foods diversifies our microbiome. Microbial diversity is linked to a reduction in inflammatory diseases, a high-functioning metabolism and increased immunity. Plus, a healthy gut may prevent type 2 diabetes. [Source: NCBI]

Astonishingly, one in ten people over 40 in the UK are living with type 2 diabetes – a condition that causes sugar levels in the blood (glucose) to become too high. The pancreas struggles to make enough insulin to regulate the imbalance and most sufferers need daily medication to help. [Source: Diabetes UK]

Also Read: How To Safely Detox From Sugar

There’s an undeniable link between diet, weight and type 2 diabetes. Obesity is a common precursor since fatty tissue makes cells more resistant to insulin. Losing weight, eating the right food and staying active can prevent, manage and, in some extraordinary cases, even reverse type 2 diabetes.

One fascinating study following 22,434 men and 38,469 women found that only 2.9% of vegans had type 2 diabetes, compared to 7.6% of the nonvegetarian participants. [Source: NCBI]

2. Can lead to sustained weight loss

Plant-based diets make it easier to lose weight, thanks to the high-fibre content that supercharges satiation. Whole grains and vegetables are low on the glycaemic index (GI) scale, while fruit contains metabolism-boosting antioxidants – all of which prolongs fullness and combats overeating.

You’ll also remove unnecessary fat from your diet by ditching meats and dairy products. Healthier and equally tasty alternatives include avocados, seeds and nuts.

Also Read: Best Type of Yoga For Weight Loss

3. Improves exercise quality and endurance

Want to smash your personal best at the gym? There’s a long list of athletes who credit a plant-based diet for their superior performance.

Novak Djokovic believes his vegan diet resolved his chronic allergies, allowing him to breathe better during games. Venus Williams ditched meat and dairy products when she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease – now, she recovers much faster. Other notable advocates include Lewis Hamilton, Mike Tyson and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

4. Better for the environment

Of course, cutting out animal products is one of the easiest things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint. The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (UN) states the total CO2 emissions from global livestock hovers around 7.1 gigatonnes per year. Cows represent roughly 65% of the sector’s total emissions!

Shocked? Most people are, but it’s a powerful incentive to make positive lifestyle changes. Adopting a plant-based diet and supporting initiatives like Meat Free Monday combats climate change by decreasing the demand for meat and dairy.