10 surprising ways a whole food, plant-based diet benefits health – including better sleep, less arthritis and joint pain, and longer life

A whole food, plant-based diet can reduce the risk of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease, but it has other health advantages, too

Eating more plant foods can help with a range of issues, including erectile dysfunction, dry skin, period cramps and joint pain, improve sleep and prolong life

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Eating a whole food, plant-based diet not only lowers the risk of you suffering from cardiovascular diseases and Alzheimer’s, but helps with erectile dysfunction and period pain, improves sleep and extends your life. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 4:15pm, 13 Jan 2024

January may see many of us take up the challenge of going vegan for the month – in an annual campaign known as Veganuary.

While cutting out animal products is certainly health-promoting, if you want to reap even more benefits of the diet, you may want to try eating only whole plant foods.

This means consuming more whole grains, legumes, fruit and vegetables, says Dr Anna Herby, a dietitian and nutrition education specialist at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in the United States.

Unlike a standard vegan diet, a whole food, plant-based diet avoids processed, convenience and higher-fat foods like meat alternatives and vegan cheese, for instance.

A whole food, plant-based diet avoids processed meat alternavitves. Photo: Shutterstock

Consuming more plant foods is associated with a lower risk of chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease and can help with digestive health and weight management. But did you know that it can also help address other health-related concerns?

Here are 10 health benefits that may take you by surprise: