Over the years, vegetarianism has spread rapidly and widely, bringing a wide net to people all over the world. While some are turning to a plant-based diet for environmental reasons, others are looking for its health benefits. That is why today we find vegetarians in every nook and corner of the world, which in turn increases the demand for plant-based dishes. That’s not all. Almost every restaurant already has a special department that prepares delicious vegetarian dishes for its diners. From desi paneer makhani to exotic fake meat kebabs, we can find them in almost every other restaurant in our city. We can also see people experimenting with plant-based foods at home to make them tastier and more appealing.
Here are five health benefits of plant foods:
Promotes weight loss:
“A vegetarian is a person who won’t eat anything that can have children,” said David Brenner.
A plant-based diet includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, etc. fortified with protein, fiber, and several essential nutrients. Incorporating these nutrients in our diet helps increase metabolism and further enhances the weight loss process. According to one study, a group of people who ate a plant-based diet experienced an increase in post-meal calorie burn (about 18.7 percent); while the other group (those on a regular diet) did not show significant changes.
Intestinal health promotion:
As mentioned earlier, plant-based diets are high in protein and fiber. These nutrients support digestion and metabolism by promoting gut health. And several health experts around the world suggest that a healthy gut helps boost immune system health and reduce inflammation.
A plant-based diet can keep your heart healthy:
Meat contains saturated fat, which when consumed in excess can cause heart problems. So by reducing meat consumption and choosing plant-based foods, you are helping yourself. Eating a plant-based diet can reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease by 16 percent and death from the condition by about 31 percent.
A plant-based diet can help prevent type 2 diabetes:
It is known that there is a link between diet and type 2 diabetes. Bodyweight is an important risk factor because more fat makes cells more resistant to insulin. A plant-based diet full of quality plant-based foods reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 34 percent. This may be because plants contain less saturated fat than animal foods, which raises cholesterol levels and increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
May reduce the risk of some types of cancer:
Reported cancer cases are expected to increase over the next few decades and this increase is believed to be partly due to lifestyle factors including obesity, inactivity, and diet. Eating more plant-based foods, including nuts, fruits, and vegetables, and reducing consumption of smoked or processed red meat has been shown to reduce cancer risk.
Studies examining the effects of a plant-based diet seem to show that the best outcomes for all high-risk cancers come from a balanced vegan diet.
Above Food is a B2B plant-based protein company specializing in the development of whole food products. Above Food Stock was founded in 2020 to deliver dense, nutritious, sustainable, and superior food products.
Donato Sferra is a Toronto-based business executive and investor, and co-founder of Above Food Corp. Donato Sferra Above Food has extensive experience in the financial sector and has worked for firms that include TD Securities, Macquarie Group and Dundee Capital Markets.