, Author at Vegan Universal

As the world is getting ever so informed & enlightened, a growing movement along with intellects, athletes, celebrities, and many more from all walks of life are going vegan to make a positive impact.

Due to the popularity of the vegan lifestyle, we have seen vegan restaurants, cosmetic brands, and clothing lines popping up everywhere.

Many people may wonder, “can a vegan diet really save the world, or is it just another fad diet for the masses?”

Well…whether a vegan diet can save the world can be up for debate, but we certainly believe a vegan diet can enrich the world! Let’s see how…

Going Vegan—More Than Just a Diet!

Going vegan goes far deeper than simply changing what you eat. The first challenge that most vegans have to overcome is their dependency on meat, dairy, and other animal-derived foods.

After you get past that hurdle, though, there are many other noteworthy aspects of a vegan lifestyle.

Here are some of the key principles & values that vegans try their best to live by:

Supporting animal rights and treating sentient creatures with kindness
Avoid eating meat, dairy, or other animal-derived food items & additives including animal-derived proteins such as keratin or collagen (instead, you may try vegan collagen)
Not using products that are tested on animals
Avoid wearing animal-derived materials, such as leather, wool, or silk
Avoid as much as possible participating or supporting any activities that abuse or exploit animals
Make environmentally-responsible choices
Having an understanding that veganism is not about being perfect, but rather trying to do our best as practically as possible. Click here for the definition of veganism.

Going Vegan—The Benefits that Enrich You & The World!

Going vegan is a choice that impacts not just your personal health but the state of the world as a whole. If you’re on the fence and trying to decide whether or not the vegan diet is for you, then here are some great reasons to consider going vegan.

1. Improve Your Health

Did you know that consuming plant-based proteins can increase your life expectancy by up to 10%? [1]. Plant-based proteins are generally lower in unhealthy fat, which makes them far better for your overall heart health.

In support of this, a recent study [2] shows that plant-based diets are correlated with a lower risk of heart disease and may even offer heart-protective benefits. This means that plant-based foods can actually strengthen your heart!

A growing number of vegan doctors are also recommending plant-based diets to their patients and writing books that help first-time vegans understand the health benefits.

2. Going Vegan Reduces Your Carbon Footprint

The US Geological Survey, along with numerous top climate scientists, have already alluded to the long-term effects of global warming [3] and climate change. If our planet continues on its current path, we can expect to see:

Rising water levels
Extinction of more animal species
Sudden heat waves and cold fronts
Reduced access to fresh water

Livestock accounts for around 15% of all human-based greenhouse gas emissions [4]. By reducing our reliance on meat, each vegan can reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a healthier planet.

3. Vegan Food is More Sustainable for The Planet

A single pound of beef requires over 1,800 gallons of water [5] to produce. This accounts for all of the water that a cow drinks and consumes through their food during their lifetime.

Conversely, a pound of dried beans only requires around 600 gallons of water and a pound of almonds only requires around 400 gallons of water to produce.

Although some tend to take fresh water for granted, it’s a serious issue in many parts of the world. As global warming continues, access to fresh water will be restricted even more [6].

This means that it’s more important than ever to find ways to save water and reduce the environmental impact of our food consumption.

4. Going Vegan Can Prevent Animal Cruelty

One of the main reasons why many people go vegan is to put an end to their participation in animal cruelty. Commercial meat farms are full of suffering, death, and disease. Animal testing facilities are filled with the screams of tortured animals.

There’s nothing remotely necessary about any of this.

By switching to plant-based proteins and committing to purchasing only cruelty-free products that aren’t tested on animals, all vegans are contributing to a more ethical world where animals are treated fairly.

Conclusion—Is Going Vegan Hard?

Going vegan can seem challenging especially if you’re brand-new to the vegan lifestyle. However, if you stick with it, learn as much as you can, and make healthy choices, it can greatly benefit your personal health and improve the long-term health of the planet.

The only question is, are you ready to make a change for the better?

Few things we hope you can do:

Comment: if you need any help, have questions, or would like to share your thoughts, please leave a comment below. Your feedback inspires us and we would reply as soon as possible.

Share: “sharing is caring”, if you found this article to be useful, please share it by using social buttons on the left or bottom.

Subscribe: subscribe to our free newsletter and receive updates on latest articles, vegan news, recipes, health, and much more!

Follow: connect with us socially on Facebook (like), Pinterest (follow), Twitter (follow), or Instagram (follow)

References:

1.https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/eat-more-plant-based-proteins-to-boost-longevity

2.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6089671/

3.https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-are-long-term-effects-climate-change

4.https://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/197623/icode/

5.https://foodprint.org/issues/the-water-footprint-of-food/

6.https://www.unicef.org/stories/water-and-climate-change-10-things-you-should-know

Recommended Posts:

Image credits:

Vegan diet by forthwithlife
Male deer: Maxpixel
Pine Trees: Pexels
Scenic ocean view of the landscape against sky: Pexels
Scenic View of River: Pexels