Introduction
A plant-based diet is becoming increasingly popular as a way to lose weight and improve overall health. A recent study suggests that following a plant-based diet can lead to significant weight loss. The study found that people who followed a plant-based diet lost an average of 4.4 pounds more than those who did not. Additionally, the study found that those who followed a plant-based diet had lower levels of cholesterol and blood pressure. This suggests that a plant-based diet can be an effective way to lose weight and improve overall health.
A Plant-Based Diet Can Lead to Weight Loss, Study Suggests
A new study suggests that a plant-based diet can lead to weight loss. The study, published in the journal Nutrients, found that people who followed a plant-based diet for 12 weeks lost an average of 4.4 pounds more than those who followed a standard diet.
The study included 60 participants who were randomly assigned to either a plant-based diet or a standard diet. The plant-based diet consisted of mostly fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains. The standard diet was based on the American Heart Association’s dietary guidelines.
The researchers found that those on the plant-based diet had significantly lower body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference than those on the standard diet. They also had lower levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.
The study’s authors concluded that a plant-based diet can be an effective way to lose weight and improve overall health. They noted that the diet may be especially beneficial for those who are overweight or obese.
Previous studies have also suggested that a plant-based diet can lead to weight loss. A 2017 study found that people who followed a vegan diet for 16 weeks lost an average of 4.3 pounds more than those who followed a standard diet.
The authors of the current study suggest that a plant-based diet may be beneficial for weight loss because it is typically low in calories and high in fiber. Fiber helps to keep you feeling full for longer, which can help to reduce your overall calorie intake.
The authors also note that a plant-based diet may be beneficial for other health reasons. For example, it may reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Overall, the study suggests that a plant-based diet can be an effective way to lose weight and improve overall health. However, it is important to note that the study was small and more research is needed to confirm the findings.
When it comes to losing weight, you can take up a super effective workout like fat-blasting cardio or strength training. On top of that, you can make some key adjustments to what you eat. For instance, a new study has found that opting for a plant-based diet can lead to significant weight loss.
In the study that was published in Obesity Science & Practice, researchers with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine took a look at 244 participants who were all considered to be overweight. At the beginning of the study, researchers noted various aspects such as the participants’ body composition and estimated dietary advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). The participants were then split into two groups; one that kept their dietary habits the same and a second that switch to a low-fat, plant-based diet for a total of 16 weeks.
At the end of the study, the researchers found that while AGEs decreased by 15% for those who didn’t change their dietary habits, those who had switched to a low-fat, plant-based diet saw a decrease of 79%. As for the latter percentage, researchers noted that 55% of the reduction was due to eating less meat, 26% of the reduction was due to eating less dairy, and 15% was due to the reduction of dietary fat. When meat consumption was broken down even further, it was noted that reducing the consumption of processed meat led to a 27% decrease while white meat equaled a 59% decrease. Beyond that, those who kept their diet the same lost around 1 pound, while those who started eating the plant-based diet lost around 14 pounds. This was primarily related to fat mass, specifically visceral fat.
“Meats and fried foods tend to be the highest in advanced glycation end products, so it makes sense that the low-fat plant-based diet in this study would be significantly lower in AGEs than the control group who consumed meat,” Stephanie Wells, MS, RD, a registered dietitian specializing in vegan and plant-based diets, tells Eat This, Not That! “The association of weight loss with AGEs is likely due at least in part to the fact that the low-fat, plant-based participants were eating less meat and fried foods, which tend to be low in fiber and higher in calories, respectively.”
“Plant-based diets have been shown in multiple studies to lead to greater weight loss than diets that include animal products,” Wells explains. “This is likely due to the lower caloric load of fruits and vegetables and the fact that many plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, and whole grains are excellent sources of fiber.”
In addition, Wells also points out that “fiber is helpful for weight loss because it helps us feel full for a longer period of time after eating.”
“In this study, much of the fat loss was visceral fat. This is an ideal outcome considering the association between visceral fat and the risk of cardiometabolic diseases,” Wells notes.
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