More and more people are opting for a vegan lifestyle. The start of the new year is particularly good for a change in diet. Especially when you consider the positive health effects that come with a plant-based diet. We explain which 5 things happen when you eat vegan every day.
Whether because of animal suffering or the positive effects on the environment – various factors speak in favor of a vegan lifestyle. Oxford University researcher Joseph Poore told the British daily The Guardian : “A vegan diet is probably the most effective way to reduce our ecological footprint.” Even if giving up animal products such as meat, eggs or cheese is not always easy, it can also have a beneficial effect on our health. But what exactly happens when we eat plant-based every day?
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Table of Contents
Eat vegan every day: 5 things happen
1. Your risk of various diseases decreases
Of course, a vegan diet can also be unhealthy – but the opposite is true for a nutrient-rich plant-based diet from freshly prepared dishes. This can even reduce the risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes or various types of cancer. According to the World Health Organization ( WHO ), consumption of red meat can be linked to the development of colon cancer, for example. The risk of cardiovascular disease also decreases: Vegans and vegetarians usually have a lower level of bad LDL cholesterol, which is considered a risk factor. studiesaccording to a vegetarian diet can reduce the development of cardiovascular diseases by 40 percent. Apart from that, animal products promote inflammation in the body, which in turn promotes the development of diseases.
2. You lose weight
Even if weight loss is not the main focus for most people when they decide to go vegan, it is often a pleasant side effect. One of the reasons for this is that vegan diets consist largely of fruit and vegetables – foods that are predominantly nutritious and low in calories. They are also rich in fiber, which keeps you full for a long time and stimulates digestion. Especially the consumption of meat products, which are often calorie bombs high in fat and sugar, can have a negative impact on the scales.
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3. The risk of nutrient deficiencies increases
However, because vegans avoid many foods, they need to be extra careful about what they eat to get all the important nutrients and prevent deficiency. In fact, the needs of almost all of these can be met through a plant-based diet. In any case, make sure you eat a varied diet of fruit, vegetables, whole grain products, legumes, nuts and healthy vegetable oils. Only vitamin B12 is found exclusively in animal products, which is why vegans should take the nutrient in the form of dietary supplements.
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4. Your digestion is stimulated
Because vegans usually consume more fiber, digestion can be stimulated. These swell up in the intestine and ensure that the intestinal contents are excreted more quickly. On the other hand, excessive consumption of fiber and legumes, especially immediately after changing your diet, can lead to increased gas formation in the intestines and thus to bloating.
5. The complexion can improve
Our skin can also benefit from not eating animal products. Processed sausages and dairy products can cause inflammatory reactions in the body and stimulate sebum production, which in turn causes pimples and oily skin. Many plant-based foods, on the other hand, have a positive effect on our skin due to the ingredients they contain – these include avocados, berries, cucumbers or carrots.
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