The Many Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet

The Many Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet

Feb 17th 2017

Updated for 2025

Plant-based eating isn’t just a trend—it’s a powerful, research-supported approach to long-term health. Whether you're going fully vegan, embracing Meatless Mondays, or just looking for more plant-powered meals, a plant-based diet offers a range of health benefits that are hard to ignore.

More and more people are discovering that eating more vegetables, legumes, grains, fruits, and nuts not only helps them feel better—it can actually help them live longer.

What Is a Plant-Based Diet?

A plant-based diet focuses on foods primarily from plants, including:

  • Vegetables and fruits

  • Whole grains

  • Legumes (like beans and lentils)

  • Nuts and seeds

  • Herbs and spices

While some plant-based eaters avoid all animal products (vegan), others may include occasional dairy, eggs, or meat in smaller portions. What they all have in common is that the foundation of every meal is plants.

Health Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet

Decades of scientific research confirm that plant-based diets are linked to reduced risk of many chronic diseases. Here are five major benefits supported by reputable medical institutions:

  1. Lower Blood Pressure
    → Plant-based diets are rich in potassium, magnesium, and antioxidants—all of which help regulate blood pressure.
    Source: American Heart Association

  2. Improved Cholesterol Levels
    → Plant foods are free from dietary cholesterol and low in saturated fat, helping lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol.
    Source: Cleveland Clinic

  3. Better Blood Sugar Control
    → Diets rich in fiber and complex carbs (like legumes and whole grains) can stabilize blood sugar and reduce insulin resistance.
    Source: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

  4. Lower Cancer Risk
    → A study published in 2023 in JAMA Internal Medicine found that people who eat more plant-based foods have lower overall cancer risk.
    Source: JAMA & National Cancer Institute

  5. Weight Management
    → Plant-based eaters often have a lower body mass index (BMI), thanks to the high fiber and low-calorie density of their meals.
    Source: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

A Bonus Benefit: Better for the Planet

Plant-based diets are more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Producing plant foods typically requires fewer natural resources and emits less greenhouse gas than raising animals for meat or dairy.
Source: EAT-Lancet Commission on Food, Planet, Health

Vegan-Friendly Soup Options from Anderson House Foods | Frontier Soups

Eating more plants doesn’t mean giving up comfort food—especially when soup is on the menu. At Anderson House, many of our mixes are naturally plant-based and full of whole grains, legumes, and vegetables.

Best of all, you control what you add—so even if the soup suggests meat or poultry, you can:

  • Skip it for a vegetarian version

  • Swap it for a plant-based protein like lentils, tofu, or a meat alternative like jackfruit, vegan sausage, or soy curls

Great Vegan-Friendly Soups to Try:

Pro Tip: When browsing our soup mixes, look for options without dairy or egg-based ingredients, and skip any animal proteins in the preparation step to keep it fully vegan.

Your Plant-Based Journey, Your Way

Whether you're going fully vegan or just trying to eat more plants a few days a week, small changes can lead to big results over time. Soups are one of the easiest and most satisfying meals to “veganize,” and we’re proud to offer flexible mixes that support your goals.

Tag your creations with #PlantBasedFrontierSoups to show us how you make your soups your own!