Going vegan is like going through a total change in your life. For starters, you need to change your diet and stick to plant-based food, such as fruit and vegetables, nuts and seeds, rice, pasta, and legumes. Going vegan also means giving up all types of red meat, shellfish, dairy products, milk, cream, mayonnaise, and honey, among others.
Going vegan isn’t an easy feat, but more people are taking this route because of the benefits they can get from it. Veganism is known to offer countless health benefits, but do you know how vast the scope of these benefits is? Are you aware that going vegan can become your key to living your best, healthiest life?
Listed below are six of the lesser-known benefits of going vegan:
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May Boost Mental Health
Going vegan is often associated with weight loss and better physical health. But, the benefits of this lifestyle don’t stop there—going vegan may also be an excellent way to better take care of your mental health.
Consuming green leafy vegetables and fermented food may lower the level of cortisol in the blood. Cortisol is a stress hormone, and having abnormal levels of this hormone in the body can trigger chronic stress, anxiety, and depression. The more cortisol you have in the body, the more at risk you are to various mental health conditions.
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May Lessen Painful Periods
About 80% of women worldwide experience period pain at some point in their lives. Ten percent of these women experience severe period pain that they can no longer accomplish daily responsibilities or take on mundane tasks.
If you regularly suffer from painful periods, have organic groceries delivered to your door regularly, and consider going vegan. Studies show that veganism may decrease the inflammation in the body as this diet contains healthy levels of antioxidants and plant chemicals. As a result, the body’s susceptibility to pain lowers, and you can continue to function optimally even during ‘that time of the month’.
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May Improve Sleep Quality
Getting, at least, eight hours of sleep every night is crucial to attaining optimal health. Sleep enables your mind and body to recharge, making you feel alert and refreshed the next day. Conversely, not getting enough sleep and can lead to several health problems, namely weight gain and high blood pressure.
Going vegan may also improve the quality of your sleep. This happens because a plant-based diet can increase the amino acid tryptophan in the body, which, in turn, can increase serotonin and melatonin levels. As a result, you can sleep better and longer.
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May Improve Your Odour
Aside from your appearance, how you smell can leave an impression. It’ll be challenging for you to get off on the right foot if you show up with an unpleasant smell during events. Over time, naturally having a foul odour can adversely affect your self-esteem.
You may smell better when you decide to go vegan. Research suggests that removing any type of meat from your diet may improve your odour, especially in your armpits.
Red meat, namely beef, goat, lamb, and pork, actually leaves amino acid residues in your intestine during digestion. Your body’s enzymes will break down that residue which will be excreted through your skin, mixing with the bacteria. This process may intensify your body odour during perspiration.
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May Reduce Risks Of Food Poisoning
Food poisoning is a serious illness caused by consuming contaminated food. Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and bloody discharge can start hours after eating the contaminated food. While some cases of food poisoning can be treated, others are fatal. In fact, according to the Food Safety Information Council and Environmental Health Australia, about 86 people die from food poisoning every year in Australia alone.
You can easily protect yourself from food poisoning when you go vegan. More than 50% of food poisoning cases worldwide are caused by uncooked poultry and meat. By eliminating these food sources from your diet, you’ll significantly decrease your risk of food poisoning.
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Save More Money
One of the most common misconceptions people have about veganism is that this lifestyle will cost a hole in their pockets. Many think that they need to spend more to eat healthier.
However, this isn’t true because going vegan can actually help you save money long-term. Aside from having cheaper alternatives in groceries and supermarkets, you can also shop for fresh produce from farmer’s markets. A farmer’s market sells cheap organic food, not to mention it offers fresher fruit and vegetables.
Talk To Your Doc First
Quality of your life can significantly improve when you become a vegan. However, before you make changes to your meal preferences and eating habits, it’s best to consult a medical professional. Depending on your existing diet, going vegan might be too drastic for you and might trigger several symptoms.
See your doctor first and let them know about your intentions to go vegan. They can help you transition into this lifestyle without compromising your health and safety.
