8 Reasons to Stick to a Plant-Based Diet

Eating less meat and more plants is not just a trend; it is a lifestyle. A plan-based diet does not consist of disgusting drinks, rabbit food, and sugar-free desserts. It is about helping you get all the essential nutrients to better your health and add up to 10 years to your life. It is about eating the food that your body craves and eliminating the food that harming your health.
Whether you are looking to jumpstart weight loss or you are on a fitness kick, your body needs vitamins and minerals that will keep your whole body healthy during your entire weight loss/fitness/health journey. Here are some of the most valid reasons to stick to a plan-based diet regularly.

1. Fight inflammation

I know what you are thinking about right now. Everyone talks about inflammation and the ways to prevent or fight it, but why is it so dangerous to you? Inflammation can affect every aspect of your health. When ignored and neglected, it can lead to serious chronic diseases and significantly reduce your lifespan.
Eating a plan-based diet is a surefire way to prevent, relieve and fight inflammation and reduce chronic pain. A plan-based diet consists of the foods that boast excellent anti-inflammatory properties, including nuts, avocado, asparagus, bell peppers, beans, berries and other vegetables and fruits.

2. Boost your vitamin and mineral intake

Plant-based foods are all fortified with a great number of vitamins including vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin K, which all promote calcium and collagen production, strengthening your immune system, delaying aging, improving bone health and reducing your cancer risk. No matter what plan-based food you eat, you can be sure that you meet your daily vitamin requirements.
Fruits and vegetables are rich in all the essential minerals, particularly magnesium, zinc, and potassium, which both help to control fluid balance and keep your energy high during the day. Skip your coffee and munch on a fruit instead. You will feel much more energized then.

3. Control cholesterol levels

Even though high cholesterol typically does not cause any unexpected symptoms, it can lead to heart attacks and stroke over time. A plant-based diet is high in fiber that helps to reduce your bad cholesterol level and increase your good cholesterol level instead. In other words, it helps to keep your cholesterol in check and your heart healthy.

4. Protect the environment

Health is a priority, but when it comes to eating plans, my priority is to save the environment. I do not want to eat animals; I want to give them a chance to live their lives till they age and die. It is so daunting that humans eat everything that can move – be it a cow or an insect. Moreover, the researches show that rearing animals produces more greenhouse gases than cars. Switching to a plant-based can help the environment.

5. Reduce your consumption of processed foods

Most store-bought foods contain artificial ingredients and chemicals that are not only bad for our health but for our lifespan as well. A plan-based diet mostly consists of whole foods, which means no processed and fatty meats. Only healthy and tasty foods.

6. Detox your body naturally

Green smoothies and drinks are essential when it comes to body detoxification. But some plants, vegetables or fruits alone can do the whole work. Cauliflower, kale, cabbage, radishes, Brussels sprouts, collard greens and broccoli are packed with unique compounds such as glucosinolates that promote liver detoxification and stop cancer cell growth. This is why salads are so popular among dieters and nutritionists.

7. Avoid trans fats

Trans fats raise the bad cholesterol level and lower your good one, increasing your risk for heart disease. Sticking to a plan-based diet will ensure that you consume only healthy fats and avoid trans fats. Maintain your cardiovascular health by increasing your plant-based food consumption. Some of the best sources of healthy fats are avocado, nuts, olive oil, chia seeds, and coconut oil among the others.

8. Protect the body from damage caused by free radicals

Almost every fruit or vegetable contain powerful antioxidants, so when you eat several vegetables or fruits together, you increase your antioxidant content and protect the body from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals cause damage to living cells and tissues and this can lead to a number of health issues.
Switching to a plant-based diet does not mean forgetting about the food you love. Take baby steps and try going plant-based for a few days each week. The only thing you should keep in mind when eliminating any food from your eating plan is a nutrient deficiency. Make sure your diet supplies your body with all the essential vitamins and minerals. Consult your doctor if needed. Have you ever tried a plant-based diet?

 Source from http://www.womanitely.com