You probably know that when you switch to a vegan diet, you are helping spare the lives of billions of farm animals each year AND you are protecting the environment, but there are some pretty amazing health benefits of a vegan diet that you will likely gain as well!
You have probably heard about a few of the amazing health benefits of a vegan diet – including prevention and reversal of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some forms of cancer. Back in 2012, I went vegan for the animals, but within just a few weeks of transitioning to this new way of eating, I discovered some pretty amazing health benefits of a vegan diet….that went beyond disease prevention.
Going easy may not be easy in the beginning (although it’s a LOT easier now than when I went vegan!), but it will be SO worth it – not only for the animals and the environment but also for YOU!
5 Amazing Health Benefits of a Vegan Diet
1. Increased energy
Animal products – such as meat and dairy – require much more of your body’s energy to digest, which can slow you down. A plant-based vegan diet is much more easily digested and high in fiber and nutrients, and this will boost your energy!
Plant-based foods will also increase blood flow to your heart, muscles, brain, and other vital organs….and this will also increase your energy!!
And because plant-based foods have more fiber than animal products (which have no fiber), your blood sugar levels will likely be more stable, which can also improve sleep at night and increase energy during the day!
2. Healthy Weight Loss
Another health benefit of a vegan diet is you will likely lose weight. Numerous controlled studies (including this one) have shown that vegan diets are more effective for weight loss than other diets – even when the vegan diet isn’t followed perfectly. So you will very likely lose weight when you transition to a vegan diet – even if you are not eating 100% plant-based (so you can still have a little vegan “junk food” and still weigh less!)
A plant-based vegan diet is also higher in fiber which will help you feel full and satisfied longer. This will mean you are less likely to overeat in the long run, which will help with weight control.
3. Better skin and hair
You will likely find your skin becoming clearer, brighter, and more toned. Your hair will likely become shinier and healthier as well. And you may even start to look younger. Here are two reasons for these perks:
- You will likely be eating more nutritious, antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, which increase blood flow and are very beneficial for the skin and hair.
- Animal products are highly inflammatory – and this inflammation can cause puffiness, breakouts and other skin disorders, and early aging. Eliminate animal products, and inflammation in your body will be drastically reduced.
4. Fewer aches and pains
Another healthy benefit of a vegan diet is that as you reduce inflammation, you will likely notice that you have fewer aches and pains. You may find joint pain is diminished or eliminated (especially in cases of arthritis). Chronic headaches may also become less frequent or eliminated.
I suffered from both achy knees (in my thirties!) and daily sinus headaches. Both of these health issues completely disappeared within two weeks of going vegan!!
5. You will feel happier!
A large-scale study showed that Vegans report higher happiness levels than meat-eaters. This might be because plant-based vegans tend to have more stable blood sugar – which can help ease anxiety. But this is likely also because vegans know they are doing something good to help the animals, the planet, AND their own health – how could one not be happy knowing this?
If you need help going vegan, check out my free guide, “Going Vegan 101” here.
If you are already vegan and want to increase your fat-burning, health and longevity, even more, check out my self-paced video course on intermittent fasting for vegans and plant-based eaters here!
