Thrive On a plant-based diet
There is a common misconception that people need to consume animal products to live a healthy life. In actuality, we can not only survive – but thrive – on a plant-based diet.
A plant-based diet provides all the necessary proteins, fats, carbs, vitamins and minerals for optimal health.¹ According to the Physicians’ Committee for Responsible Medicine, a plant-based diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, is a great way to achieve good health. Plant foods are full of fiber, rich in vitamins and nutrients, free of cholesterol, and low in calories and saturated fat.² A plant-based diet has been shown to lower your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and other health conditions.³
The Facts About Our Health
There is strong evidence that consuming red or processed meat increases the risk of colorectal cancer.5
Ingesting animal proteins causes our bodies to produce higher levels of the hormone insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). This hormone increases cell division and growth in both healthy cells and cancer cells, so it has been associated with increased cancer risk.4
Most animal foods contain saturated fat and cholesterol which increases the risk of developing heart disease – the leading cause of death in the US. Our bodies synthesize all the cholesterol we need for our physiological functions, so we do not need to consume any cholesterol.4
Improve Your Health By Going Plant-Based
A plant-based diet can even improve brain health. Consuming saturated fats and trans fats that are commonly found in animal products can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive conditions. A plant-based diet avoids these and is instead full of antioxidants, folate, and Vitamin E, which may even protect brain health.6
Plant-based diets have been proven to prevent and even reverse heart disease in addition to lowering blood pressure and improve cholesterol.2
Going plant-based can help lower body weight, improve insulin function, and increase your body’s ability to regulate blood sugar, which helps prevent and reverse type 2 diabetes.2
A plant-based diet is a powerful way to reduce your risk of cancer. Beta-carotene and lycopene found in plants like sweet potatoes and tomatoes can help fight cancer. The high fiber content in a plant-based diet helps to remove excess hormones that could lead to breast or prostate cancer.6
Sources
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-is-a-plant-based-diet-and-why-should-you-try-it-2018092614760
- https://www.pcrm.org/good-nutrition/plant-based-diets
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3662288/
- https://www.forksoverknives.com/wellness/animalproteindangers/#gs.521f9c
- https://www.wcrf.org/dietandcancer/exposures/meat-fish-dairy
- https://www.pcrm.org/health-topics/cancer
