Plant-Based Diets Offer Health Benefits

Plant-based nutrition is by far the healthiest diet approach focused on whole plant sources. The data from observational studies, animal studies, and human studies show an overwhelming benefit in preventing and treating the diseases that plague our western culture. The negative health consequences of a diet of animal products, dairy products, and processed foods has also been shown in convincing studies well documented. The resources to help people stop food addictions and change to eating healthy plant food are now extensive.

Plant-based diets prioritize whole foods that do not undergo heavy processing. They are based on five classes of plant sources: vegetables, tubers, fruits, whole grains, and legumes. Whereas vegetables refer to many plant foods such as peppers and cucumbers, tubers are a specific type of vegetable that is high in starch and grows underground. Potatoes, beets, and carrots are examples of tubers.

Legumes include different types of beans like kidney beans and lentils as well as chickpeas. Oats, rice, and quinoa are frequently used as whole grains in plant-based diets. Such diets can also incorporate seeds like sesame seeds, chia, and sunflower seeds as well as nuts to boost vitamin intake. Controversies regarding the lack of protein in plant-based diets are rendered invalid due to the high protein content found in legumes, whole grains, seeds, and nuts.

Vegetarianism and veganism are the most common plant-based diets. The degree to which plants are used exclusively can vary. While vegans consume strictly animal-free foods, vegetarians design their meals mostly using plant foods but do also add some animal-based dairy products. I myself cannot endorse any of the dairy and animal based products, as they induce inflammation, promote cancer growth, and vascular disease.

People who commit to a plant-based diet enjoy major benefits that improve their health while helping the environment. Health benefits include better weight management and disease prevention.

Due to their high fiber and water content, plant-based diets prolong satiety, thus resulting in a lower body mass index (BMI). Studies show that veganism can effectively stimulate weight loss in individuals who are overweight or with obesity. Furthermore, a survey of more than 60,000 people demonstrated that the lowest average BMI belonged to vegans, followed by vegetarians and pescatarians.

Plant-based diets also lower the risk of medical conditions such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. People with diabetes who struggle with sugar intake regulation have shown significant improvement after implementing a plant-based diet.

Aside from its health benefits, plant-based nutrition has a positive environmental impact. The production of animal meats consumes a lot of natural resources. For instance, while 1 kilogram of corn requires around 250 liters of water, the same amount of beef meat consumes more than 13,000 liters of water. By avoiding animal meats, vegan diets preserve water resources.

Furthermore, food manufacturers participate in deforestation to provide enough pastures for livestock rearing. A decrease in forestry worsens global warming and biodiversity. Therefore, plant-based diets are a greener nutrition approach with a lighter environmental footprint.

Today, plant-based diets are gaining popularity in a world that is more health-conscious. In July 2021, Belgian sports food company Innerme announced its launch in the United States. Founded by Dirk Baelus, Innerme specializes in plant-based sports nutrition, including energy bars and protein shakes.

Mr. Baelus built the company after transforming his lifestyle to a healthier one. He quit smoking and drinking, then redesigned his diet. By eliminating animal products and refined sugars, he noticed a boost in his strength and energy. He soon became a triathlete, which motivated him to start his own sports food brand. Available at Walmart and on Amazon, Innerme products are 100 percent vegan and contain neither lactose nor gluten.