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Plant-Based Diets are More Beneficial Than We Thought
It might seem obvious that eating more vegetables and whole grains is better for your body than fast food and sugary treats. But how much better is it to eat healthy? If you were to switch to a completely plant-based diet today, would it impact your long-term health?
What is a Plant-Based Diet?
A diet that focuses more on plant-based foods tends to reduce consumption of meat, sugar, and processed foods in favor of:
Vegetables
Whole fruits
Legumes (like beans)
Nuts and seeds
Whole grains
These foods help increase your intake of nutrients, which leads to a stronger immune system, improved brain and gut health, better sleep quality, and higher energy levels.
Mental Health and Gut Benefits
Plant-based diets have also been linked to better mental health. Some studies have shown lowered stress, anxiety, and depression rates associated with plant-based eating.1 However, these effects also depend on the quality of the plant-based diet. Foods still need to be whole, natural, unprocessed, and rich in nutrients to provide mental-health impacts. Here’s what that means:
- Whole Foods: Foods that are minimally processed.
- Natural Foods: Foods that are minimally processed and don’t contain additives or preservatives.
- Unprocessed: Foods that are not processed at all.
There may also be benefits to the gut microbiome. Your gut microbiome is the vast and varied group of microorganisms living inside your intestines and stomach. The microbiome is made up of all sorts of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes – some good and some bad. Some parts help with how your body digests and absorbs nutrients while other parts can contribute to digestion issues, disease, or inflammation. It’s generally understood that the more diverse our gut microbiome is, the healthier we are. And plant-based foods tend to increase the diversity of the gut microbiome, though more research is needed to study the long-term effects.2
Fighting Disease
Finally, there is strong evidence that eating more plant-based meals can help us live longer and reduce the risk of several chronic diseases, including:
Heart Disease
Diabetes
Certain Cancers
Obesity
But what’s most exciting is that by eating more plant-based meals, we might also be able to slow down the progression of certain diseases. In 2024, a study revealed that men with prostate cancer who followed a plant-based diet had a 47% lower risk of disease progression compared to those who did not.3 This shows us that the benefits of this diet can do more than prevent disease – it might actually help treat them as well.
Clinical research will continue to explore how we can treat diseases, whether it’s with new medication or factors as simple as diet. As we learn more about the foods we eat, we gain the power to make better choices come meal time. It’s just one way clinical research is helping us make choices that benefit our bodies today and protect our health in the future.
CONTRIBUTING EXPERT
Chandar Abboy, MD
Dr. Abboy is a physician board-certified in internal medicine, pulmonary disease, critical care medicine, and sleep medicine. He is a Principal Investigator at Care Access, overseeing multiple clinical trials.
SOURCES
DISCLAIMER
The information provided on Care Access is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Our products and content are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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