Risk of Disease Lowered with Whole Foods Plant-Based Lifestyle

According to PCRM (Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine) a fully plant-based diet "consists of exclusively plant foods, including fruit, vegetables, grains, and legumes, and avoids meat, dairy, and eggs. Plant-based foods are full of fiber, rich in vitamins and minerals, free of cholesterol, and low in calories and saturated fat. Eating a variety of these foods provides all the protein, calcium, and other essential nutrients your body needs."

Some nutrients may, however, seem harder to consume on a vegan diet, including B12 and vitamin D: nutrients in which even many omnivores are deficient. These can easily be supplemented or obtained by other natural means.

A healthy diet consisting primarily of plants and whole foods can reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, several cancers (including colorectal, breast, prostate, esophageal, stomach, uterine, and others), and can improve brain health.

Why is eating plant-based so protective and beneficial? Since meat and animal products contains zero fiber and tends to have high levels of saturated fat and cholesterol, and red and processed meats have been determined carcinogenic, eliminating all or the vast majority of these items from your diet will immensely improve health.

High levels of fibers and phytonutrients such as antioxidants are found in plants. The more colorful and varied your diet is with plant-based whole foods (unprocessed foods), the healthier you can be.

Of course, veganism is not a cure for cancer, but it does reduce risk for most people. Other factors including level of activity, environmental exposure to toxins, and other things can contribute to risk as well.

Find more comprehensive information at the following sites:

PCRM: Plant-Based Diets

Healthline: Why Do Some Vegans Live Longer?

MayoClinic Health System: Plant power: Using diet to lower cancer risk