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HUMAN HEALTH

Plate of salad with leafy greens, tomatoes, cheese, lime slices, and a serving of chili or seasoned meat, with a black fork on the side.
A plate of rice and lentil stew garnished with cilantro, with bowls of ground spices nearby on a gray wooden table.

According to recent data, 67.5% of Black adults in the UK are overweight or obese, indicating a concerning trend in this demographic.

Additionally, individuals from South Asian and African or Caribbean backgrounds are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, with a higher prevalence of risk factors such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.

In fact, South Asians, African Caribbeans, and Black Africans are 2-4 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.

In the United States, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities experience higher rates of lifestyle diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and high blood pressure, when compared to white Americans. These health disparities are a significant concern and must be addressed in order to improve health outcomes for all individuals, regardless of race or ethnicity.

Health Benefits of a Vegan Diet

1. Weight loss:

  • People following a plant-based diet tend to have lower body mass index (BMI). Being obese or overweight increases your risk of developing many serious health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.

  • Research shows that a plant-based diet does not only help with weight loss, but also with maintenance.

2. Blood Pressure

  • High blood pressure (hypertension) can increase your risk for heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. A number of studies have shown that those eating a plant-based diet have lower blood pressure than other diet groups

3. Heart Disease

  • By removing animal products from your diet, thus saturated fat, and adopting a whole food plant-based diet, you can not only prevent but also reverse heart disease

4. Type 2 Diabetes

  • Studies suggest that a plant-based diet reduced the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, improves insulin function and can reverse the symptoms associated with type 2 diabetes

5. Cancer

  • Avoiding animal products while eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can lower the risk of colorectal cancer, breast and prostate cancer

6. Brain Health

  • Research shows that following a whole food plant-based diet is associated with lower risk of cognitive impairment and may protect against Alzheimer’s

An outdoor picnic spread with various fresh fruits, vegetables, dips, and finger foods on a table.

One-size-fits-all advice doesn’t work.

Here are culturally relevant resources to support diverse communities on their plant-based journey.

Book cover titled "African American Vegan Starter Guide: Simple Ways to Begin a Plant-Based Lifestyle." Features images of a smiling African American woman at a market, a plate of colorful vegan food, and an African American man and woman smiling together.
Platters of fruit, stuffed grape leaves, and greens on a marble table.
Vegan starter guide for Iran featuring a bowl of cooked lentil dish and flatbread on a patterned cloth.

Free Online Course:
Your Guide to Plant-Based Eating

People at a table with bowls of plant-based soups and dishes, sharing a meal.
Image of a plant-based meal with ramen noodles, vegetables, and tofu, with a spice packet on the side.
Bowl of yellow rice garnished with pomegranate seeds and herbs, on a dark wooden table with a metal serving spoon, almonds, and a cloth nearby.
A stylized globe with a map of Asia and parts of Europe and Africa, surrounded by green leaves and olive branches.

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