We've all heard that going vegan is good for a healthy body. But most of us don't have a clear picture of what those benefits actually are. Blogger Jen Miller sheds some light on the subject. In this post, we cover the seven most important health benefits of going vegan.
1 — Better Physical Performance
As Jen notes, "Many athletes, from tennis players to bodybuilders, follow a vegan diet to boost their performance." The thinking is that a plant-forward diet gives people more energy, less pain and better overall health. Julieanna Hever, author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition, agrees — noting that athletes who eat this way recover faster and can push their training to the maximum.
2 — It Helps with Weight Loss
Losing weight is much easier on a vegetarian or vegan diet, because the total fat content of these ways of eating is low, and vegetarians tend to eat polyunsaturated rather than saturated fat compared with non-vegetarians. Jen also points out in her post that the main sources of saturated fat are animal products.
Many scientific studies have confirmed that, compared with other diets, the way vegans eat is more helpful for weight loss. But of course, veganism is not just about losing weight; viewed from an ethical standpoint, it is a personal choice and a way of life.
3 — More Resistance to Migraines
Nobody likes migraines, and they can often be triggered directly by what a person eats. "Most migraine sufferers are advised to avoid triggers like chocolate, cheese and alcohol," Jen explains, adding: "But a group of researchers found that a low-fat, plant-based diet may help people with migraines."
In the study, 42 randomly selected migraine patients either ate vegan or took a placebo for 26 weeks. Those on the vegan diet reported a major reduction in pain, along with positive changes in weight and cholesterol levels.
4 — Vegans May Be Happier and Less Stressed
Science has shown that vegan eating helps with stress and anxiety. Jen highlights a study published in 2015 that examined participants' moods, diets and lifestyle factors, and found a correlation between a healthy vegan diet and lower anxiety levels.
"The reason may be that a meat-based diet is high in arachidonic acid, a saturated omega-6 fatty acid," she says, supporting this with a study in which 39 omnivores were split into three groups: a control group eating fish, meat and poultry daily; a second group eating fish 3–4 times a week but no meat or poultry; and a vegetarian group avoiding meat, fish and poultry entirely.
"The results after two weeks showed that the moods of the omnivores and the fish eaters hadn't changed, while the vegetarian group's mood improved significantly."
5 — A Vegan Diet Is Good for Your Skin
In a study of the people of Kitava Island in Papua New Guinea, not a single person was found to be affected by acne — and their diet is thought to be the reason. These islanders eat mostly unprocessed, low-fat, plant-based foods, which is why scientists believe there is a link between the way they eat and the absence of acne.
Research also shows that dairy products and high-glycaemic foods can contribute to acne. A vegan diet removes both — helping the skin heal and giving you a brighter complexion.
6 — A Vegan Diet Reduces Body Odour
Who knew there was a direct link between what we eat and how we smell? As Jen explains: "Body odour is influenced primarily by the secretions of the sweat glands in our armpits. These glands help flush toxins out of the body, and those expelled toxins cause body odour — so what we eat directly affects how we smell."
Red meat is considered the main culprit behind body odour, with fibre-free processed foods made with white flour, hydrogenated oils and added sugar also contributing. None of these belong in a vegan diet.
7 — Vegans May Have a Lower Body Mass Index
As we all know, a healthy body mass index increases our chances of a long, healthy life by reducing the risk of many dangerous conditions — heart disease, stroke, bone and joint problems such as arthritis, and even cancer. Various studies have found that vegans' BMI values are average or lower compared with groups following other diets.