Plant-Based Diet: How it Affects Health

Author(s)

Sarah Marsland, University of Rhode IslandFollow

Major

Nursing

Advisor

Betsey MacDonald

Date

5-2020

Keywords

Plant-Based; Health; Disease

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License.

Abstract

This research project aims to investigate the relationship between plant-based dieting and overall health, specifically the prevention and reversal of chronic disease. Two subjects committed to eating a plant-based diet comprised of primarily vegetables, fruits, whole grains and non-processed foods for six weeks. Before beginning, they were asked about their current health status, including a complete health history, and their knowledge of plant-based eating. Throughout the research period, the subjects shared what they were eating, challenges they faced, and any benefits they noticed. Upon completion of the diet, they answered questions about their experience. With this information, the researcher was able to make conclusions about the benefits of plant-based dieting and its relationship to overall health and chronic disease. Although it is a very limited study with only two subjects, this information can lead to further investigation on the benefits of plant-based eating. In addition, my research builds on Dr. T. Colin Campbell and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn’s works The China Study and Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease to further support my claims. Both researchers specialize in the effects of nutrition on long-term health. My findings suggest that the plant-based diet was associated with better overall health, weight loss and increased energy. Eating plant-based also correlates to a decrease and reversal of chronic disease, including heart disease and diabetes, which was indicated by lab results that demonstrate improvements. This information is significant because chronic diseases are the leading cause of death in the United States. Diet is associated with every aspect of one’s health and it is important to understand how it can be used to prevent chronic diseases rather than respond when it is too late. The researcher also offers guidance to patients and healthcare providers, specifically nurses, to support patients in successfully utilizing nutrition to improve their health.