Did you know that eating a plant-based diet is an effective way to lose weight? Several studies have shown that eating lots of fruits and vegetables can be an effective way to shed pounds. One reason for this is that, because fruits and vegetables are naturally high in fiber, a plant-based diet satisfies your hunger and keeps you feeling full longer. This means you are more likely to eat smaller portions and less likely to sneak snacks between meals.
But, the benefits of fruits and vegetables go way beyond weight loss. Research shows that a plant-based diet can also help add years to your life. That’s because the polyphenols, phytonutrients and other bioactive compounds in plants play a vital role in helping your body fend off chronic disease. Specifically, research has shown that a plant-based diet can help prevent:
Heart Disease
Diabetes
Cancer
Dementia
Reduces Risk of Heart Disease
Heart disease is the number-one killer of Americans. According to a comprehensive 2019 study in the Journal of the American Heart Association, plant-based diets that emphasize higher intakes of fruits, vegetables and whole grains (and a lower intake of animal foods) can reduce the risk of death from heart disease by 32%. This is because a diet rich in plants can lower your cholesterol level and thereby lessen the buildup of artery-clogging plaque.
But another even more important way that a plant-based diet helps reduce heart disease is by reducing the level of oxidative stress in the body. When present, oxidant stress causes inflammation in the arteries around your heart which leads to serious conditions like excessive clotting of the blood, plaque buildup and hardening of the arteries. The antioxidants in plant-based foods work to reduce this inflammation and help keep your vascular system healthy.
Reduced Risk of Diabetes
Insulin is an important hormone that controls many bodily processes. Insulin resistance is when cells in your muscles, fat, and liver don’t respond well to insulin and can’t use glucose from your blood for energy. Over time, your body’s diminishing response to insulin creates dangerously high blood sugar levels that become more and more difficult to keep in check. Studies have shown that eating a plant-based diet, which is abundant in antioxidants, can improve insulin sensitivity, which in turn lowers your risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.
For those who already suffer from Diabetes, a plant-based diet can help manage the disease because fruits & vegetables are very high in fiber which can help regulate blood sugar. Fiber is a type of carbohydrate found in plant-based foods. But, unlike other types of carbs, the body can’t digest fiber, so instead of being absorbed into the bloodstream, it passes through the digestive track. Because soluble fiber isn’t digested in the bloodstream, it’s less likely to cause a spike in blood sugar, which is key to managing Diabetes.
Reduced Risk of Cancer
In the U.S., cancer is the second-leading cause of death. But according to the Mayo Clinic, estimates suggest that as many as 33% of cases could be prevented by switching to a plant-based diet. How you ask? It turns out that there are many phytonutrients in plants that aid in building a healthy immune system which can effectively ward off invading cancer cells.
These phytonutrients, especially a subset called polyphenols, also have important anti-inflammatory powers. Recent data has shown that cancer can arise from areas of chronic inflammation and that inflammation inside the body is a critical component of tumor growth. Experts have long suspected that inflammation plays a role in cancer development. As far back as 1863 a German scientist observed that cancer often develops at sites of chronic inflammation. But researchers have only recently identified chronic inflammation as a major risk factor for cancer. One reason it’s taken science so long to confirm the relationship is that chronic inflammation inside the body is difficult to recognize. Today, many doctors adopt a plant-based nutrition approach to cancer treatment and prevention.
Reduced Risk of Dementia
Over the last decade, the link between nutrition and brain health has become more and more clear. We now know that following a diet rich in plant-based foods (and low in animal-based foods) can significantly lower risk of cognitive decline.
The mechanics of how that works are also more clear. A number of studies have demonstrated that patients with Alzheimer’s Disease exhibited evidence of what doctors call a sustained inflammatory response. This inflammation response in the brain is a well-established defense against infection, toxins and oxidative stress. As we have seen with other chronic diseases, the key to controlling inflammation is by ingesting a good amount of antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables.
Antioxidant rich foods are the key
As you can see, one of the main reasons a plant-based diet is so important is because the phytonutrients and polyphenols found in plants work to protect your body from chronic disease. More specifically, it is the powerful antioxidants found in fruits & vegetables that help maintain a strong immune system and heal your body at the cellular level. The link between plants and longevity can be summarized in the following way:
The antioxidants in plant-based foods help reduce oxidative stress at the cellular level.
In turn, this helps reduce the chronic inflammation that leads to chronic disease.
Pranam Bars are loaded with antioxidants
One convenient way to get the antioxidant benefit of a plant-based diet without going totally vegan, is to try the antioxidant nutrition bars from Pranam Superfoods. Developed by a neuroscientist who has spent over 20 years studying the link between nutrition and chronic disease, these bars are loaded with phytochemicals, polyphenols and other bio-compounds that can help your body protect itself from the harmful effects of oxidation, inflammation and insulin resistance. So, eating an antioxidant rich Pranam bar every day may in fact help reduce your risk for chronic disease and help ensure you live a healthier, happier and longer life.
The bars come in 4 delicious fruit flavors; Blueberry, Pomegranate, Mango and YUM Berry and are packed with a variety of powerful superfood ingredients like Goji berries, quinoa, sunflower seeds, walnuts, coconut oil and a secret blend of high antioxidant spices and herbs that give it a signature Pranam taste. To learn more, visit www.pranambars.com.