The Effect Going Vegan For A Month Has On The Body

If you're one of the thousands taking part in Veganuary, you will either be at the stage right where you feel like you've cracked it or you'll have a serious hankering for a bacon butty.

Those of you in the latter camp might be wondering what on Earth the point of it all is.

Well, while it might not seem it at the moment, the change could be worth it in the long run.

Speaking to LADbible, Dr Alona Pulde, of health and wellbeing site Lifesum, revealed just what happens to the body after going vegan for a few weeks.

She said: "Changes occur quickly when shifting to a whole foods, plant-based diet."

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1) Blood Sugar Levels

"Blood sugars start to normalize. Elevated blood sugars will begin to come down over the first week and continue to do so over time."

2) Heart

"Heart health will begin to improve with a reduction in blood pressure and cholesterol levels. These changes also begin to occur over the first week and continue over time."

3) Skin

"Skin health, including acne, redness, and even some signs of ageing improve as inflammation decreases and blood flow increases."

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4) Digestion

"Our microbiome improves. Research shows that a plant-based diet is beneficial in promoting the development of a more diverse and stable microbiome to better support our digestive system.

"In addition, because most of the body’s immune cells live in the gut, having a robust microbiome helps support the optimal health of our immune system."   

5) Weight

"Weigh loss is something else that begins shortly after transitioning to a healthy plant-based diet.

"This is due to plant-foods being more calorie dilute and to the high nutrient density, fibre and water content which helps regulate our hunger signals to appropriately signal satiety so we don’t over-consume."

But if that wasn't enough, there also obvious benefits to the planet from changing our diets.

Dr Pulde says: "Research shows that the highest greenhouse gas emissions were found in meat-eaters, 46-51 percent higher than for fish eaters, 50-54 percent higher than for vegetarians, and 99-102 percent higher than for vegans.

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"Compiled data and calculations have shown that each day a person chooses a vegan diet, they save 1,100 gallons of water, 45 lbs of grain, 30 square feet of forested land, 20 lbs C02, and one animal’s life.

"So, to reduce our carbon footprint, the number one thing we can do is adopt a plant-based diet, eating more plant foods while limiting or eliminating animal food consumption."