The vegan diet is one of the most popular diets today, and there are many reasons why. We live in a time where the world is becoming more and more conscious about what we eat. Knowing which diet will work best for you can be tricky with many people suffering from chronic illnesses. But thanks to veganism, there is now a plant-based option that leaves you feeling healthy and happy with all of your dietary needs met. If you’re wondering why going vegan has become so popular or you’re considering giving up animal products but don’t know where or how to start, find out what it’s all about in this article!
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Animal Ethical Issues
Today, around 60 billion land animals and 90 billion marine animals are slaughtered annually for human consumption. The vast majority of these farmed animals live miserable lives in factory farms (a.k.a. Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations or CAFOs). They are confined to cramped spaces from birth until death, unable to express natural behaviors such as hunting and grazing, and routinely denied everything important to them. Pigs, cows, chickens, and other animals raised for food are often kept in cramped cages where they can’t even turn around. They are injected with hormones to make them grow bigger (or produce more milk), fed genetically modified grains, and forced-fed antibiotics through tubes inserted into their throats. Animal welfare is practically non-existent here.
Environmental Impact Of Meat-Eating
People who choose to go vegan do so because they believe that animals should not be killed or exploited. They also feel that if we are going to eat meat, then we need to find a way of doing it that does not have such a massive impact on the planet. For example, producing just one pound of beef takes over 2500 gallons of water and produces more greenhouse gases than driving a car for two miles. Eating plants instead of animal products will significantly reduce your carbon footprint and leave you feeling healthier!
Social Media
There are many ways that people are promoting veganism these days. One way is through social media websites like Facebook, where more and more people share their reasons for adopting a vegan lifestyle. As the world becomes more connected, it’s easier than ever to find out why so many of your friends have decided to change their lives! Another reason for the popularity of veganism is the sense of community you get. You can join groups on Facebook and Twitter, as well as find out more about veganism on sites like Pinterest and Instagram.
Health Benefits Of A Plant-Based Diet
There are many other reasons people choose to go vegan, including the ethical treatment of animals, the environmental impact of meat-eating, and the health benefits of a plant-based diet. Vegans tend to eat lots of fruit and vegetables, while their meat-eating counterparts consume much larger quantities of processed foods. This means that vegans typically have fewer dietary deficiencies because they eat more whole foods that contain all essential nutrients. Some health benefits of a plant-based diet are:
- Reduced Risk Of Heart Disease
It is no secret that Americans are struggling with their weight. Obesity rates have more than doubled in the past 30 years, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over one-third of American adults are obese. Vegan’s are typically thinner and have less body fat than meat-eaters, and they tend to have lower rates of heart disease, cancer, and other chronic illnesses. Studies have shown that people who eat a vegan diet have an average BMI 1.5 units lower than their meat-eating counterparts, leading to reductions in heart disease risk factors like obesity, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, etc.
- Reduces Inflammation
Inflammation is the body’s way of responding to injuries, infections, irritants, or any other problem. When your immune system detects something harmful in the body, it sends out inflammatory chemicals like interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) to help fix the problem. This can be helpful when your body needs to heal from an injury, but it’s harmful if left unchecked and is associated with heart disease and diabetes. A plant-based diet can reduce inflammation because it reduces the amount of saturated fat, dietary cholesterol, and trans fats in your diet.
- Healthy Skin And Hair
Vegans and vegetarians often shift to a plant-based lifestyle for health reasons. Many people who switch to a vegan diet report changes in their skin that range from a reduction in acne outbreaks to no more breakouts at all! When you eat a vegan diet, your skin will also be better hydrated and resistant to environmental damage. A vegan diet can help boost your intake of essential nutrients like zinc, selenium, vitamin E, and magnesium, which contribute to healthy skin.
- Improves Gut Health
Research has shown that gut health is vital to overall health and well-being. A diet that includes animal products can lead to digestive issues like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), leaky gut syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), etc. Removing meat and dairy from the diet can help with these conditions because it reduces inflammation in the digestive tract caused by animal proteins. It also makes it easier for your intestines to absorb nutrients, which leads to better health overall.
Conclusion
Reasons for being vegan are so popular are numerous, and there are many reasons why people choose to follow this lifestyle. A plant-based diet also has many ethical, environmental, and health benefits. Vegans typically have fewer dietary deficiencies because they eat more whole foods that contain all essential nutrients. A vegan diet can help reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, and other chronic illnesses. It focuses on whole foods that provide us with essential nutrients to survive instead of empty calories from processed junk food. So what are you waiting for? Try it today, and see how much healthier your body can feel! You won’t be disappointed!
