3 Proven Ways to Fight Disease with a Whole Food Plant-Based Diet – Many ask, what are 3 Proven Ways a Plant-Based Diet Supercharges Your Health? Plant-based eating doesn’t just have the power to keep you energized, enhance your athletic performance, and boost your focus – it’s also has the power to be a preventative treatment for diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and various other diseases. No need to take my word for it, though. Let’s check out several proven ways to fight disease with a whole food plant-based diet that can help you look and feel your best.
1. Boost Weight Loss
People on plant-centered diets lose more weight. I experienced this for myself when I went full on plant-based for reducing cholesterol and lost 20 pounds. I was pleasantly shocked! The best part was how easy it was once I knew how.
In 2015, Harvard researchers and scientists in Taiwan examined 12 different “gold-standard” nutrition studies. In these studies, participants were randomly assigned to eat either omnivorous or plant-based diets. Compared to omnivores, those on a vegetarian diet (including milk and eggs) lost 3.3 extra pounds, and those on a plant-based or vegan diet lost 5.5 extra pounds.
2. Reduce Risk of Cancer
The word no one wants to hear: cancer. Yet, most of us know someone who’s been affected by cancer or perhaps been affected directly. What is cancer, exactly? Cancer is a term that refers to the development and multiplication of abnormal cells that promote unhealthy cell growth, thus promoting tumors, masses, etc.
It’s true that many people around the world fight disease with a whole food plant-based diet eating fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, mushrooms, and whole grains, which are packed with nutrition. Research has shown that eating a variety of this food is linked with lower cancer rates.
3. Slash Diabetes Risk
Since a whole food plant-based diet can positively affect blood sugar levels, it is a natural supportive treatment for diabetes. Animal-based protein actually stimulates a rapid release of insulin into the bloodstream. And the saturated-fat content prevents insulin from entering the cells to effectively utilize sugar.
This creates what is known as insulin resistance that is associated with diabetes. Animal protein also triggers the release of IGF-1, (insulin growth factor) which is a hormonal response that’s been linked to cancer.
The American Diabetes Association says that a plant-based diet is helpful for fighting diabetes. This is due to high amounts of dietary fiber and includes antioxidants, complex carbohydrates, and lower cholesterol levels.
This type of food releases insulin into the bloodstream at slower rates. It also allows the uptake of insulin into the cells in order to efficiently utilize sugar for body processes. For more information, learn about reducing your risk of diabetes with a plant-based diet, and discover why plant-based eating will change your life for the better forever.