3 Ways Going Vegan Is Great for Wellness

Veganism is a philosophy that seeks to eliminate animal exploitation and suffering as much as practicable and possible. Many people are familiar with plant-based diets, which eliminate the consumption of animal products like beef, chicken, milk and eggs purely for health-based reasons. Being a philosophy rather than a diet, vegans go a step further and avoid such activities as wearing leather and riding horses as they believe this also contributes to needless animal suffering. However, it is beneficial to focus on what is gained by going vegan rather than what is given up. Here are three ways that going vegan is great for wellness. 

1. Better Physical Health

As vegans such as Gale Tobin would say, this philosophy is about more than just not eating animal products. But people must not ignore the many benefits of opting for grains, vegetables and fruits over meat, dairy and eggs. Many studies indicate that the diet associated with going vegan has the following health benefits:

• Increased nutrient consumption, including potassium and vitamins A, C and E
• Improved blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes
• Protection against some cancers, thanks to the antioxidants found in plants as well as the association of soy products with a lower incidence of breast cancer
• Lower risk of heart disease due to vegans typically following a diet that is naturally lower in saturated fats and cholesterol, leading to a lower incidence of high blood pressure and LDL cholesterol

While it is still possible to eat junk food as a vegan, a typical vegan diet contains more fiber and antioxidants as well as fewer carcinogens than the standard western diet. 

2. Greater Alignment With Morals

Most people are of the belief that animals kept as pets, such as dogs and cats, should not be mistreated or bred for food. Veganism takes this belief and also applies it to animals typically raised for food and clothing like cows, pigs and sheep. The vast majority of those who practice veganism used to eat meat, with some having raised chickens and pigs themselves in an attempt to avoid contributing to factory farms before becoming close to these animals and unable to reconcile keeping some animals for food and others as pets. Adopting a vegan stance and avoiding the consumption of all animal products can eliminate this moral dilemma and lead to less stress.

3. Less Environmental Impact

Many people go vegan not just for moral reasons and greater physical health, but for the health of the environment. Animals that are raised for food use a significant amount of land and water and contribute to pollution in the form of waste. It takes much less energy to produce plant-based proteins than it does to produce an equivalent amount of animal proteins. Using land and water to grow plants and feeding people these plants directly is a better use of resources than animal agriculture. The result is a cleaner environment that is better for your health and the health of those in your community. 

If you are interested in these three benefits, consider reading more about going vegan.