Vegan foods are excellent for losing weight, however, they are also great because they offer an array of additional health benefits.

People choose to go vegan for a variety of reasons, whether its some of the mentioned above, or because they advocate for ethical treatment of animals. It’s no secret that eating vegetables and fruits can have massive health benefits, but only if consumed the right way. We are going to tell you about the benefits of eating a well balanced vegan diet.

1. Vegan Diets are Richer in Certain Nutrients

Switching to a vegan diet means no more meat and animal products.

This means that you will rely more heavily on other foods, more precisely, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, peas, seeds and more.

Since a vegan diet consists of foods like this, it is only natural that you will take a higher daily portion of certain beneficial nutrients.

Vegan foods appear to be richer in potassium, magnesium, folate, as well as Vitamins A, C, and E. Vegan diets have also proven to provide more fiber, beneficial plant compounds, and antioxidants.

However, if you don’t balance your diet, the food you’re eating will provide insufficient amounts of fatty acids, Vitamin B12, as well as iron, calcium, and zinc.

2. Vegan Foods Can Help You Lose Weight

Studies have shown that vegans tend to have lower body mass than non-vegans.  Other studies have also shown that vegan diets are more effective for weight loss than compared to other diets.

In some studies, vegans and non-vegans were allowed to eat until they were full, and vegans lost more weights following a diet that was calorie-restricted.

You can read about how vegan foods help us lose weight more on Raise Vegan.

3. A Vegan Diet Lowers Blood Sugar Levels and Improves Kidney Function

Vegans tend to have lower blood sugar levels, and vegan food tends to lower the sugar levels in diabetics, subsequently lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes by 50 to 80%.

In some studies, almost 48% of participants, who used a vegan diet, managed to lower the usage of blood-sugar medications, compared to 26% who followed an ADA recommended diet.

What’s more interesting is that diabetics who substitute meat for plant proteins can reduce the risk of poor kidney function.

4. Vegan Diets Can Protect Against Cancer

According to the World Health Organizations, as much as one-third of all cancers can be prevented by regulating what you eat.

Eating legumes can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by a whopping 18%!

Other research has shown that eating up to seven portions of fresh vegetables and fruit, may prevent the risk of cancer by 15%.

Because of the things vegans eat, according to another study, vegans may benefit from a 15% lower risk of developing some form of cancer.

Soy may offer protection against breast cancer, and that’s another thing you can find in a vegan diet. Adding good herbs such as ginseng tea to your diet is also known to protect you from cancer. Vegans also avoid smoked and processed meat or any meat for that matter, but it has been found that these types of meats can promote certain types of cancers. Dairy products also have been found to increase the risk of prostate cancer.

By being a vegan, you eliminate these threats by using a well balanced vegan diet that will boost your immune system and vitalize your body. What’s more, you are advocating for ethical treatment of animals.