New Study Reveals Impressive Potential Health Benefit Of A Plant-Based Diet

No matter what lens you use to examine plant-based diets, there are many benefits to be had from practicing vegetarianism or going vegan. While the lower environmental impacts of plant-based diets are attractive for some, others have found motivating health benefits. According to Healthline, a vegan diet can help people lose weight, have better heart health, and simply improve their overall wellbeing due to the fact they're eating more nutrient-dense foods. Victoria, Australia's government-backed Better Health Channel also notes that a vegetarian diet can reduce the risk of high blood pressure and diabetes. 

While impressive, a new study conducted by Oxford University researchers found another compelling reason to consider going plant-based (via The Guardian). Though the findings do not conclusively prove that plant-based diets are the sole reason for it (citing smoking and body fat percentage as other possible factors), the study did establish a notable correlation between those who follow plant-based diets and a lowered risk of developing some types of cancer. 

The study examined the data of more than 470,000 people living in Great Britain and found that those who follow a plant-based diet were the most likely to have a reduced risk of developing certain types of cancer: namely breast, prostate, and bowel cancers (via The Guardian). The biggest, overall take away from the study was that vegetarians have a 14% reduced risk of developing such cancers as opposed to those who eat meat regularly. Men could see a 31% lower risk of prostate cancer on a vegetarian diet, while women were found to be 18% less likely to develop postmenopausal breast cancer. 

Even those who do eat meat and seafood could see some benefit by eating smaller quantities. The study found that pescatarians are 10% less likely to develop select cancers; Those who eat meat fewer than five times per week could be 2% less likely to encounter the disease. Even though the study cannot base the findings on the eating habits of its subjects alone, it's clearly well worth considering switching to a meat-free diet, or at least revisiting the concept of "meatless Mondays."