A whole foods, plant-based diet is one that emphasizes eating whole, unprocessed foods that are derived from plants, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts. Such a diet has been shown to have a number of health benefits, including:
1. Weight loss
Because plant-based diets provide many of their calories in whole food form, rather than processed, and often contain less fat than diets that include animal products, this can lead to weight loss in some individuals.Â
2. Improved heart health
A plant-based diet has been shown to lower the risk of heart disease, which is the leading cause of death worldwide. This is likely due to the fact that plant-based diets are rich in fiber, antioxidants, and phytochemicals, and are low in saturated fat.
3. Improved blood sugar control
Plant-based diets have been shown to improve blood sugar control, which can help prevent and manage type 2 diabetes.
4. Reduced risk of certain cancers
Some studies have suggested that plant-based diets may be associated with a reduced risk of certain types of cancer, such as colon, breast, and prostate cancer.
5. Lower risk of kidney disease
Plant-based diets has been shown to lower the risk of developing kidney disease.