“It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.” –Mahatma Gandhi
Following a whole-foods, plant-based diet (WFPB) offers many rewards. Today, I’ll shed
light on some of the health benefits of plant-based eating. Did you know that following a
WFPB diet is associated with reduced risk for obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease,
and hypertension? Here’s some more information about each of these conditions:
Obesity
- Most of the world's population live in countries where overweight and obesity kills more
people than being underweight.
- Obesity is preventable, as it is caused by increased intake of energy-dense foods high
in saturated fat, sugar, and sodium, combined with a lack of physical activity.
- Health consequences of being obese include increased risk for cardiovascular
disease, type 2 diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders, and cancer of the breasts,
prostate, liver, and colon.
Type 2 Diabetes
- Diabetes is considered the 7th leading cause of death in the United States.
- Conditions associated with diabetes include blindness, amputation, and kidney failure.
- Type 2 diabetes is preventable.
Heart Disease
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) - disorders of the heart and blood vessels - is the
leading cause of death globally.
- Four out of five CVD deaths are due to heart attacks and strokes. Risk indicators
include high blood pressure, increased glucose and lipids in the blood, as well as
overweight and obesity.
- Indicators are associated with lifestyle-related factors, including an unhealthy diet and
physical inactivity.
High Blood Pressure
- Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition that causes stress on blood
vessels and forces the heart to work harder.
- High blood pressure is known as the ‘silent killer’ because most people do not
experience symptoms.
- If left untreated, one could experience a heart attack or heart failure, stroke, kidney
failure, blindness, and cognitive impairment.
Research has confirmed the health benefits of following a WFPB diet. Studies (linked
below) also show that a plant-based diet can help to lower body weight and reduce your
LDL cholesterol. The best part, it’s never too late to start!
See more here: https://bit.ly/32f99Mp
