Month: June 2021

A new article in Healthline, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vegan-diet-benefits?fbclid=IwAR3oHXp3dqELb_8PRVeQbxR4WuUBZIXp2Zb-VD1r11eaTtpFIDwZSk4Fitg#TOC_TITLE_HDR_3,

points out 6 of the many reasons why a plant based diet is beneficial.  None of this information is new, but this is another established medical resource confirming why you should be looking into or continuing a plant based diet.

We encourage you to read the article rather than take our word for it.  This one is an easy read.

The benefits listed are:

1. A plant-based diet appears to be richer in fiber, antioxidants, potassium, magnesium, folate and vitamins A, C and E.  You just need to ensure you get adequate fatty acids, B12, iron, calcium, iodine and zinc.

• The diet can help you lose weight.  A number of studies are cited.

• The diet appears to lower blood sugar levels and improve kidney function, again citing a number of studies.

• A Vegan diet appears to protect against certain cancers (more studies cited).  The exact reasons are not fully understood according to Healthline.

• A lower risk of heart disease.  Fruits, vegetables, legumes and fiber are all key components that help lower risk factors.

• You may be able to lower pain, swelling and stiffness from arthritis inflammation.

Again, you don’t have to become a hard-core vegan to get benefits.  If you can just decrease highly processed foods and replace more meat and dairy with plant-based alternatives, you will be better off.  The more you can go towards a plant-based diet, the healthier you will be.  No, a plant-based diet does not cure or prevent all diseases, but it is very good for your health, the environment, and animals!

Take a look at a couple of articles in the BMJ Nutirition and Health archives (https://nutrition.bmj.com/content/3/1/74 & https://nutrition.bmj.com/content/early/2021/05/18/bmjnph-2021-000272) present some incredible findings regarding diet and immunity, in case case immunity towards severe Covid-19 symptoms.

The second article concludes after studying nearly 3000 cases from 6 countries (including over 500 diagnosed with Covid) that those with a plant based  diet fared better than other diet options, including keto, paleo and many other diets were much more likely to have less severe symptoms.  “Participants who followed plant-based diets had a 73% lower chance of moderate to severe COVID-19 illness, whereas those who followed low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets were 48% more likely to have moderate to severe COVID-19 illness. “

The first article reviews the effect of many nutritional factors on immunity.

It is amazing how beneficial a plant based diet can be, so long as you get a great variety of foods to ensure all the minerals and vitamins you need!