Agricultural economist Jayson Lusk once led a survey from 2013 to 2017. Here, he found that only about 5% of Americans considered themselves vegan or vegetarian. In 2022, however, that is no longer the case.
In another survey, Glynn Tonsor from Kansas State University found that self-proclaimed vegans or vegetarians now stand for 10% of the population. With how veganism is growing around the world, it’s important that we continue to highlight its health benefits!
We “know” that veganism is healthy, but what more is there to discover? Keep reading below.
How can veganism help?
A good plant-based diet is generally considered to be higher in fiber and lower in saturated fat and cholesterol. This helps improve blood sugar and viscosity, which is especially critical for older adults and patients with physical conditions like diabetes or hypertension.
Beyond aiding in healing the condition itself, veganism can also alleviate the pain that comes as a symptom. A new study published in the AJLM found that vegan diets can help decrease the pain and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis by 53%. That’s because plant-based diets are rich in phytochemicals and vitamins.
This shows us that veganism can both manage and improve the health of one’s body. That is why many people, even without pre-existing health conditions, make the shift toward vegan diets. See athletes, for example. Many athletes, like Derrick Morgan of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans, are turning to plant-based diets. Research has come out on these diets’ ability to keep hearts strong, muscles oxygenated, and body fat reduced.
Otherwise, many other people make the switch to maintain their weight better. Vegan diets are generally associated with a lower calorie intake. The evidence thus shows that the immediate effects of plant-based diets include weight loss. Whereas the moderate-term benefits manifest in better energy metabolism and systemic lower inflammation.
Precautions for aspiring vegans
The health benefits of veganism can only be acquired if one follows the proper diet. People who are new to vegan diets commonly experience side effects like anemia or hormone production disruption. In times like these, many choose to return to their old diet or consult shady resources online.
This can be unhelpful. You will fail to reach your goal, and the range of information on the internet will not necessarily fit your body’s unique characteristics. Once you notice your side effects, it’s important to instead consult a health provider. Such as a dietitian or remote nurse practitioner who’s trained in primary care.
Consulting with these professionals online can help prevent any worsening conditions, particularly in light of the primary care shortage in different parts of the US. Forbes reports that doctor wait times in Washington and other big cities like New York or Boston average almost four weeks, up 8% from 24.1 days in 2017. On the other hand, remote nurse practitioners in Washington are available almost immediately for consultation via telemedicine. Here, one can readily acquire customized medically-guided solutions to avoid worsening conditions. This is done through a combination of nutrition and movement planning and health coaching.
This will ensure that you avoid vitamin deficiencies. Unhealthy vegan diets also exist, and one can unknowingly consume a lot of plant-based foods that are either processed or low in vitamins. Vitamins like vitamin B12 or vitamin D can be a little harder to find in vegan diets. Medical experts can quickly point you towards Vegan Sources of Vitamin D as we’ve previously listed, such as mushrooms, cereals, or even supplements and sunshine!
Get your healthy dose of sunshine while out on a vegan picnic date with your beau using Veggly, the world’s number one vegan dating app. Here, you can find your Veg-Love who shares the same values as you do so that you both can encourage each other to stay vegan, healthy, and healthily vegan for a long time.
Article written for the exclusive use of veggly.net
By Alicia Colin
