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Q: Why does a person who is eating a 100 percent plant-based diet need to pay more attention to what types of plants they eat? A: Some nutrients are available in abundance in animal products, so it’s easy for someone who eats some meat, eggs, or dairy—such as a flexitarian or vegetarian—to get all they need. Few plants have these nutrients, or they only have them in small quantities. If a person wants to eat only plants, they need to make sure they are eating enough of the plants that do have these nutrients.

Health Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet Studies show that those who eat healthy plant-based diets based on a variety of nutrient-dense plant foods have lower rates of several serious diseases, such as:

• heart disease • diabetes (type 2) • cancer • dementia • skin disorders

People who eat healthy versions of the plant-based diet also seem to live longer and stay active and healthy to a later age. It’s important to mention that people who eat plant-based diets

Chapter 1: The Many Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet

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