4 Health Benefits of a Vegan Diet (and a Few Potential Drawbacks)

See if switching to a completely plant-based diet is right for you.

And there are plenty of healthy reasons people have gotten more on board with plant-based eating.

Could a vegan diet or more plant-based eating be right for you?

Vegan Freezer Breakfast Burritos

Here’s a look at some of the science-backed health benefits-and a few of the challenges to eating vegan.

Heart Health

Eating vegan may help keep your heart healthy.

Eating a vegan diet may help reduce your risk of certain cancers.

Other research suggests it may help reduce the risk of prostate and colon cancer in particular.

Being a vegan may help you live longer.

In a large study of more than 70,000 adults, vegan participants outlived meat-eaters and most other vegetarians.

As with any diet, going vegan does have drawbacks.

Talk with your doctor to see if you’ll need supplements.

There are practical problems, too.

Still, with a little careful thought, going vegan can pay off.

Talk with your doctor, go slow, and see if it’s right for you.