A vegan diet has been around for centuries, yet recently it has gained popularity and found its spot on the Hollywood A-listers’ dinner tables. Thanks, in part, to the Veganism documentary and Robert Parker’s Vegan: The Movie. The latter of which shows us that a vegan diet can prevent many different types of diseases and even extend one’s life. This type of diet has even been hailed as a plant-based medicine due to its ability to fight off illness.
The rise in popularity of a vegan diet is certainly a positive one and many nutritionists will even tell you that a vegan diet is better for your health than a normal one. However, before you rush to put down the bacon and grab a tum marinar, let’s dive into the evidence that supports and rejects the notion that a vegan diet is bad for your health.
The Pros And Cons Of A Vegan Diet
It would be unwise to simply label all‐vegan diets as bad for your health. Just because a food is vegan doesn’t mean that it’s bad for you (quite the opposite, in fact). There are plenty of pros and cons to a vegan diet that you need to take into consideration.
Here are just a few of the benefits of a vegan diet:
Healthy Diet
A vegan diet is a diet full of nutrients, vitamins, and enzymes all of which contribute to its health benefits. There is a wealth of scientific evidence that points to the abundance of antioxidants, namely vitamin C, vitamin E, and carotenoids in a vegan diet as the reason for its protection from heart disease, cancer, and other illnesses.
The best part is that this protective effect applies to all types of vegans, whether you’re a plant‐based vegan or a vegan that also incorporates some meats (such as bison and goat meat). The evidence shows that including these types of foods in your diet does NOT cancel out the health benefits you would get from a vegan diet.
Protein Rich
Another great thing about a vegan diet is that it’s rich in proteins. In fact, the best sources of proteins for vegans come from plant foods, mainly nuts, beans, and grains. This is in contrast to animal proteins which are high in saturated fats. We need to keep in mind that not all proteins are created equal and it’s important to choose the right types of proteins depending on your needs. As a vegan, you may want to consider incorporating more grains into your diet to ensure that you get sufficient amounts of proteins.
Rich In Vitamins And Minerals
A vegan diet is a diet rich in vitamins and minerals. Not only do these nutrients contribute to many aspects of good health, they also help to protect the body against the effects of aging and illness. Vitamin C is an antioxidant which contributes to the body’s natural resistance to disease and injury while magnesium and iron contribute to normal muscle contraction and energy production, respectively. A vegan diet is an excellent source of many of these nutrients and it would be unwise to skip out on the dietary supplements that are available to bolster your intake.
While there are many health advantages to a vegan diet, you must also remember its disadvantages. To begin with, a vegan diet can be very expensive to follow, especially if you are also counting on supplements to make up for the nutrients you are missing in food. Furthermore, depending on how much you eat, you may experience nutritional deficiency, especially if you are not getting enough carbohydrates in your diet (many fruits and vegetables contain carbohydrates which your body needs to function properly). It is not recommended that you follow a vegan diet if you are already eating a proper diet with plenty of vegetables and fruits as these food sources contain the nutrients that your body needs. It is also important to keep in mind that any food item, including vegan foods, can contribute to or prevent various types of illnesses. Therefore, it is important to follow a diet fitting for your body type and any preexisting conditions you may have. One great thing about a vegan diet, however, is that it promotes health and prevents many different illnesses. It would be unwise, therefore, to label it as bad for your health.
The evidence, as we have discussed, supports the fact that a vegan diet has numerous health advantages. This type of diet also provides numerous nutrients which contribute to normal muscle function and energy production. It would not be a bad idea to try a vegan diet for a few weeks to see how you feel and if you start to feel better, you can adopt a vegan diet for good.
Environmentally Friendly
With our world becoming more aware of the environmental issues, it is only natural that people are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint. One way of doing this is opting for a vegan diet. If you want to reduce your environmental impact, it is best to avoid products made of animals products and go for environmentally friendly products made of plant materials. When choosing organic produce, it is best to look for those whose production doesn’t rely on pesticides or other chemicals which harm the environment.
Longer Life
A vegan diet can benefit your overall health and vitality. As we have discussed, a vegan diet provides numerous nutrients which contribute to normal body functions. Some research studies have even shown that a vegan diet can increase your life expectancy by years. If you are interested in experiencing a longer life, it is best to avoid foods which are high in fats and carbohydrates and eat foods rich in vitamins and minerals. There is also evidence that points to the health benefits of a diet rich in plant foods, especially with regards to heart health. If you want to live a longer life, it is best to adopt a vegan diet as it can greatly improve your health and vitality while also lowering your carbon footprint and environmental impact.
More Energy
A vegan diet can be a source of great nutrition and plenty of energy. If you are a Type 2 diabetic, it can be beneficial to you to follow a vegan diet as it can drastically reduce your blood sugar levels and the medication you may need to take to treat your diabetes. There is also evidence that suggests that a vegan diet may increase your energy levels by as much as 20 to 30 percent. If you are experiencing low energy, it is best to adopt a vegan diet as it can help to restore your natural highs.
Is A Vegan Diet Good For Your Pet?
Pets are a part of the family for many people, so it is natural that they would want to ensure that their furry friends are getting the best nutrition possible. While many pet foods are available to meet the nutritional needs of your furry friend, it is always a good idea to feed them healthier foods when you can. One way of doing this is incorporating more vegetables into their diet as these foods provide essential nutrients which contribute to their health and longevity. It is also advisable to avoid foods containing artificial flavors and preservatives which may be harmful to your pet’s health.
The Bottom Line
While there are many health advantages to a vegan diet, you must also remember its disadvantages. To begin with, a vegan diet can be very expensive to follow, especially if you are also counting on supplements to make up for the nutrients you are missing in food. Furthermore, depending on how much you eat, you may experience nutritional deficiency, especially if you are not getting enough carbohydrates in your diet. It is not recommended that you follow a vegan diet if you are already eating a proper diet with plenty of vegetables and fruits as these food sources contain the nutrients that your body needs. It is also important to keep in mind that any food item, including vegan foods, can contribute to or prevent various types of illnesses. Therefore, it is important to follow a diet fitting for your body type and any preexisting conditions you may have. One great thing about a vegan diet, however, is that it promotes health and prevents many different illnesses. It would be unwise, therefore, to label it as bad for your health.