The microbiome or the trillions of microorganisms living in our body are pivotal for our overall health and well-being. They assistthe body in the digestion of food, but also provide important nutrients, train the immunity, turn the genes on and off, maintain the health of the gut tissue,and keep cancer at bay. Plant foods are known to contribute to the health of the intestinal microbiome and the fiber which they contain is highly beneficial for the growth of good gut bacteria. However, this is not always the case with diets low on fiber that encourages the spread of bad bacteria. When non-vegans consume carnitine or choline that are present in meat, seafood, eggs, dairy,and poultry, the gut bacteria produce a substance which the liver transforms into a toxic substance known as TMAO. When your diet is based mostly on plant-based foods, there is scarce or no production of TMAO.
- Balanced cholesterol levels
High levels of bad cholesterol contribute to the occurrence of strokes and cardiovascular diseases. The cholesterol levels can rise if we follow a diet rich in poultry, meat, cheese, and other products from animals because of the saturated fat present in it. On the other hand, studies point out that when we start following a plant-based diet, the cholesterol levels reduce by 35 percent! Whole foods are able to balance the cholesterol because of the low amount of saturated fat and the absence of cholesterol.
