5 Surprising Benefits of Natural Plant Protein

You may be vegan for the animals or the planet, but did you know natural plant protein has some incredible benefits for your health? Natural sources of protein from plants offer more than just fuel for your body—they provide essential nutrients and compounds that can help you thrive. Here are five surprising benefits you gain from choosing plant protein:

Natural Plant Protein Is Better for the Environment

Choosing Natural Plant protein over meat is one of the best decisions you can make for the environment. Here are a few reasons why:

Natural Plant protein production requires far fewer crops and land. It takes 6-8 kg of grain to produce just 1 kg of beef, but only 0.5-1 kg of grain to produce 1 kg of plant protein like beans, lentils or nuts. That’s up to 16 times more efficient! All that extra land used for livestock means more deforestation and habitat loss. By eating plant protein instead, you’re reducing your carbon footprint in a big way.

Natural Plant protein also needs a lot less water. Estimates show that a single egg requires 120 liters of water to produce, while a serving of nuts needs just 16 liters. Meanwhile, a burger requires a whopping 2,400 liters! As water scarcity continues to be an issue, switching to plant-based protein is an easy way to conserve this precious resource.

Furthermore, industrial meat production pollutes the air, water and soil. Runoff from factory farms contaminates groundwater and rivers with waste, antibiotics and hormones. Meanwhile, the decaying manure releases methane, ammonia and other greenhouse gasses that contribute to climate change. By avoiding meat, you opt out of supporting this harmful system and help preserve the planet for future generations.

In summary, plant protein is sustainable, eco-friendly and the responsible choice if you care about the health of our planet. Every meat-free meal makes a difference, so start adding more beans, nuts and whole grains to your diet today. Together, we can create positive change through compassionate and earth-friendly food choices.

Natural Plant Protein May Reduce Heart Disease Risk

Choosing more Natural Plant proteins could do your heart a world of good. Studies show people who eat less meat and more Natural plant protein tend to have a lower risk of heart disease. Here are a few reasons why plant protein may be better for your ticker:

Natural Plant protein sources are cholesterol-free. Foods like beans, lentils, nuts, and seeds contain zero cholesterol. Animal proteins like meat, eggs, and dairy, on the other hand, contain cholesterol and saturated fat, which can raise your “bad” LDL cholesterol – a major risk factor for heart disease.

Fiber found in plant proteins helps lower cholesterol. The fiber in plant proteins like beans, broccoli, and oats helps lower LDL cholesterol. Most plant proteins contain soluble fiber which forms a gel-like substance in the gut that binds to cholesterol and helps remove it from the body.

Plant proteins reduce inflammation in the body. Inflammation is linked to plaque buildup in the arteries and heart disease. Plant proteins contain antioxidants and compounds that can help reduce inflammation in the body. Meat, on the other hand, may promote inflammation due to compounds formed during cooking and processing.

A plant-based diet is associated with lower blood pressure. Replacing animal protein with plant protein has been shown to lower blood pressure. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke. Beans, nuts, and seeds, in particular, contain compounds like magnesium, potassium, and arginine which can help relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure.

As you can see, protein offers some compelling benefits for heart health and reducing the risk factors for heart disease. For the health of your heart, consider swapping animal protein for plant-based protein several times a week. Your heart will thank you!

Natural Plant Protein Can Aid Weight Loss and Maintenance

Plant-based protein can be very beneficial for weight loss and maintenance. Here are a few reasons why:

Plant protein is less calorie-dense than animal protein.

Compared to meat, eggs, and dairy, plant-based protein sources like beans, lentils, nuts, and seeds contain fewer calories per gram of protein. This means you can eat more volume of food for the same amount of protein and calories. Fill up on foods like chickpeas, edamame, and pumpkin seeds, and you’ll stay satisfied while cutting calories.

Fiber keeps you feeling full.

Natural Plant protein comes packaged with fiber, which helps keep you feeling full and reduces appetite. Fiber takes longer to digest, so it keeps your stomach feeling satisfied for hours after eating. Meat, on the other hand, contains no fiber so it digests very quickly, which can lead to hunger pangs soon after eating.

Inflammation is reduced.

A plant-based diet is naturally anti-inflammatory, as it limits inflammatory compounds found in meat like saturated fat, endotoxins, and advanced glycation end products or AGEs. Chronic inflammation in the body is linked to weight gain and obesity. By reducing inflammation, you’ll have an easier time losing excess pounds.

Gut health improves.

A diet high in plant foods feeds the good bacteria in your gut, which improves gut health and metabolism. A balanced gut microbiome is essential for weight maintenance. The trillions of bacteria in your gut actually help determine how many calories you absorb from the foods you eat. Healthy gut bacteria have been linked to lower body weight and reduced risk of weight gain.

You’ll eat more whole foods.

A plant-based diet centered around whole foods – fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds – is naturally lower in calories and higher in nutrients than a diet high in processed foods. Sticking to a whole food plant-based diet makes it almost effortless to cut calories and lose excess weight.

In summary, plant protein sources offer many benefits for weight loss and maintenance. They are less calorie-dense, high in fiber, anti-inflammatory, and gut-friendly. A diet focused on whole plant foods also makes weight control much more achievable. Adding more plant-based protein to your diet could help boost your weight loss success and keep those pounds off for good.

Natural Plant Protein May Decrease Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

Plant-based diets have been shown to help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control. Eating more plant protein and less animal protein may be especially beneficial for diabetes prevention and management.

Fiber-Filled and Nutrient-Dense

Plant proteins like beans, lentils, nuts, and seeds are high in fiber, complex carbohydrates, and various nutrients like magnesium, potassium, and antioxidants. Fiber and nutrients found in plant proteins help slow the digestion and absorption of sugars, which prevents blood sugar spikes. The fiber may also help you feel full, reducing appetite and calorie intake.

Less Saturated Fat and Inflammation

Natural Plant proteins contain little to no saturated fat and are anti-inflammatory, unlike red meat and full-fat dairy products. Saturated fat and inflammation are linked to insulin resistance and a higher diabetes risk. Switching from animal to plant protein sources can help lower inflammation in the body and improve insulin sensitivity.

May Promote Weight Loss

Eating more Natural Plant protein as part of an overall balanced diet and exercise plan may aid weight loss and maintenance. Since excess weight is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, losing weight can help reduce diabetes risk. Plant proteins are less calorie-dense, so you can eat larger portions while still losing or maintaining weight.

Provides Same Nutrition as Animal Protein

Despite some myths, Natural Plant protein can provide all the same amino acids and nutrition as animal protein. As long as you eat a variety of plant proteins, including beans, lentils, nuts, and seeds, and consume enough calories to meet your needs, plant protein can absolutely be a complete protein source for vegans and vegetarians. There is no need to combine certain plant proteins at each meal to get all the amino acids you need.

In summary, ditching animal protein in favor of plant-based protein sources provides some compelling benefits for diabetes prevention and blood sugar control. A balanced diet with adequate plant protein, healthy fats, fiber, and nutrients is key to reducing diabetes risk and maintaining health. Making the switch to more plant-based proteins may be one of the best steps you can take for your long term health and to avoid chronic disease.

Natural Plant Protein May Improve Mood and Mental Wellbeing

Plant-based diets are great for your body and mind. Eating more Natural plant protein in particular may help boost your mood and mental wellbeing in some surprising ways:

Improved serotonin levels

Serotonin is the “feel-good” hormone in your brain that helps regulate mood and happiness. Many plant foods contain tryptophan, an amino acid your body uses to produce serotonin. Getting enough tryptophan in your diet can help ensure you have adequate serotonin levels, which may help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Lower inflammation

Inflammation in the brain is linked to depression and other mood disorders. A plant-rich diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes has an anti-inflammatory effect. By reducing systemic inflammation in your body, plant protein may help alleviate inflammation in the brain and improve your mental health.

Healthier gut, happier mind

Your gut and brain are intimately connected. A balanced gut microbiome with plenty of good bacteria is essential for optimal brain health and mood regulation. Fiber-rich plant foods act as prebiotics, feeding the good bacteria in your gut. This may help strengthen the gut-brain axis and lead to a happier, more stable mental state.

Stress resilience

Diets high in processed meat, fat and sugar can negatively impact your body’s ability to handle stress. Plant protein provides compounds like magnesium, folate, and antioxidants that help your body better respond to stress. By supporting your body’s stress response, plant protein may make you more resilient in the face of challenges that could otherwise impact your mood and mental wellbeing.

Better sleep

Most plant foods are naturally high in melatonin, the hormone responsible for regulating your sleep-wake cycle. Eating more plant protein during the day may help boost your melatonin levels at night, making it easier to fall asleep. Adequate, high-quality sleep is essential for mood regulation, cognitive function, and mental health. Getting better sleep thanks to plant protein can have significant benefits for your overall wellbeing.

In summary, adding more plant-based protein to your diet is a simple way to support better mental and emotional health. Whether it’s swapping meat for extra helpings of beans and lentils a few times a week or trying new plant-based recipes, even small changes to boost your plant protein intake can have big benefits for your mood and mind.

Conclusion

So there you have it, 5 amazing benefits of Natural Plant Protein you may not have known about. While animal protein definitely has its place in some diets, you now have even more reasons to make plant protein a regular part of your meal routine. Your body and the planet will thank you. Eating more plant protein is an easy way to boost your health, help the environment, and prevent disease—all while enjoying delicious vegan meals. What’s not to love? Make the switch to more plant protein today. Your future self will be glad you did.

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ELIZA JHONE

Author at Healthy Laws

Healthy Laws blog is guided by the creativity of my co-author, Eliza Jhone. She has zealously engaged in this aspect through sharing information on different things related to veganism, nutrition, weight loss, and healthy living. She uses interesting articles to encourage people to adopt a vegetation lifestyle. This gives proof of how dedicated Eliza is on these issues and makes her an important member of the Healthy laws network.