Vegan lifestyle includes not only forgoing meat, eggs and fish but also all products which have their origin in animals, including honey, animal milk, milk products etc.
People adopt a vegan lifestyle for a variety of reasons, the desire to not harm animals for food, to get healthier, to protect the planet from greenhouse emissions released from animal rearing, etc. These are 11 reasons which can convince you to embrace a vegan diet too.
Healthier Genes
Nobel laureate Elizabeth Blackburn in her study found that consuming a vegan diet for a course of three months can cause more than 500 genes to alter so as to turn on genes that prevent disease and turn off the ones that cause cancer, heart disease, and other illnesses.
Animal Cruelty
One might argue humans have depended on animal products as source of food since time immemorial, while that might be the case, in modern times, when we have many easy and convenient substitutes and even dietary supplements, it doesn’t make sense morally or ethically to put animals through cruel and inhumane conditions and kill them for food.
Dietary Requirement
There is a commonly sighted flaw about the vegan diet that it is deficient in protein, calcium and Vitamin D which may lead to disorders but there are various sources through which one can get these nutrients while on a vegan diet
For Protein : lentils, black beans, veggie burgers, tofu, nuts, peanut butter, and soy milk.
For Calcium : broccoli, bok choy, chinese cabbage, collards, kale, and calcium-fortified orange juice.
Vitamin D : natural sunlight or a Vitamin D supplement.
Meat Production leads to the vicious cycle of hunger
A study conducted by McGill University and the University of Minnesota, it was found that net grain production is enough to feed the world, but we face scarcity because of the conscious decision to feed most of it to animals solely reared for meat.
Improved Digestion
Vegan diet has enhanced fibre content which helps your gut health and digestion.Your daily meals are likely to be digested quicker than your previous diet, you are less likely to feel bloated, although increased consumption of brussel sprouts, beans can contribute to some bloating initially, so it is better to introduce such foods slowly and in small quantities.
Consumption of inordinate amount of water for rearing Animals
Rearing animals consists of two-thirds of all freshwater consumption in the world today. In a world constantly leaning towards drought where even drinking water is scarce, we can not afford such a load on our water resources.
Increased Energy
The cleaner and simpler composition of vegan diet helps your body channel energy to your daily requirements rather than to digest complex animal products which will certain make you feel a boost of energy once you start a vegan diet
Grim possibility of fishless oceans
Earth’s oceans are a thriving habitat for about 1 million species. Oceans also act as a giant carbon sponge absorbing up to one-third of human carbon dioxide emissions while also producing 50 percent of the oxygen we breathe. What this tells us is that we can not afford to tamper with the delicate ecosystems our oceans host.
Clearer Skin
A lot of skin problems and blemishes can be attributed to dairy consumption and excess fat in our body. Once you embrace the vegan lifestyle, you are sure to feel a difference in your skin.
Vegan Diet can help you lose weight
Vegan diet is not the new miracle worker or fad diet for weight loss. If followed religiously while consuming “healthy” vegan food consisting of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, you can expect to lose weight. Sugary substances are still vegan but not necessarily healthy.Innovative Vegan Food
While the common perception regarding vegan diet, is its all green vegetable and food which would not be palpable to majority of the population, that’s not the case. There are many delightful options like vegan butter, ice cream now and even vegan burgers, vegan nuggets. If you do your research well, you are sure to find good food you can consume without having to take living beings and our planet hostage