Benefits Of Living A Vegan Lifestyle

With more and more people making the decision to turn to a vegan lifestyle more people are asking why and what are the benefits of it?

From not contributing to animal abuse, to the environmental impact it has, there are plenty of reasons why turning to veganism can improve our lives, the lives of animals and the impact we are having on the environment. But it is so important to make the switch for the right reasons for you, no matter what these are to you. So lets look into what the benefits are:

Health Benefits

It can be one of the healthiest ways to live, if we consume a balanced diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts & seeds along with extra calcium and added B12. However, if this healthy lifestyle is achieved then a vegan diet can reduce the risk of conditions such as

• Type 2 diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease
• A stroke
• Obesity
• Types of cancer

Environmental Benefits

Researchers at the University of Oxford found that eating a vegan diet could reduce an individuals carbon footprint by up to 73%! It uses minimal land and water use, cuts your greenhouse gas emissions and global acidification. Not only do you have to grow the crops to feed the animals, but fossil fuels are also burnt in the raising, slaughtering and transportation of animals. In fact, livestock and their by-products account for a whopping 51% of annual worldwide greenhouse gas emissions!

If that wasn't enough, livestock drink more fresh water than anything else - and with hundreds of people around the world not having access to clan water it is so important to conserve where we can. 

It takes 100 to 200 times more water to raise a pound of beef than it does to raise a pound of plant foods!

Animal Welfare

Many people class themselves as animal lovers, however when it comes to our diet or lifestyle this doesn't always follow. Animals are complex creatures which are capable of feeling happiness, pain and joy. Yet, we treat them as if they are a commodity with no feelings in order to get meat, leather and other products. Animals live in cramped conditions, are abused, malnourished and mistreated all for the sake of a meal. Living a vegan lifestyle means all of your meals will also be cruelty free.