Читать книгу BOSH! How to Live Vegan - Henry Firth - Страница 40

Plant-based foods are rich in fibre, antioxidants, folate and various phytochemicals, all of which are all great for our general health. Often a whole foods, plant-based diet contains fewer calories too, so it’s easier to maintain a healthy body weight, and many people say that any excess weight just falls off (it did for us).

If you’re worried about your energy levels or maintaining your performance at the gym, know that many world-class athletes have made the switch to a plant-based diet, including premiership footballers, basketball players, boxers and tennis champs. They all claim better recovery from exercise and better digestion on a plant-based diet. But perhaps the most persuasive example of this is Patrik Baboumian, the German stongman competitor who has broken world records since becoming vegan. We applaud and admire these amazing, inspiring, ripped dudes and dudettes who are smashing it on a plant-based diet. We are so grateful to them!

There are countless studies to back up the fact that a balanced plant-based diet, or a mostly plant-based diet, is the best diet for your body – it can even reduce premature deaths from chronic diseases by more than 20%.[70] These are studies from objective bodies like the World Health Organization, United Nations,[71] Harvard University,[72], [73] Oxford University,[74] as well as progressive governments – for example, the Canadian government has removed dairy entirely from its list of recommended foods, which is now 90% plant-based.[75]

Processed meats and fish have now been linked to increased risk of breast cancer.[76] Eating red meat substantially raises your risk of death from cancer or heart disease.[77]

A plant-based diet is increasingly recognised as a healthier alternative. Atherosclerosis, or plaque in your arteries, associated with high intake of meat, fat and carbohydrates, is the leading cause of death in the USA.[78]

The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed red meat and processed meat as carcinogenic.[79]

The US FDA now advise that some fish and shellfish can contain unpredictable and potentially damaging levels of mercury, and is now deemed unadvisable for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers or children.[80]

By eating a plant-based diet you can save the planet, and be healthier too.