According to a study reported in the journal Nutrients, vegan diets (that are free of meat and dairy products) encourage the production of beneficial gastrointestinal hormones. These hormones help control weight and blood sugar.
"These beneficial gut hormones can help keep weight down, enhance insulin secretion, regulate blood sugar, and keep us feeling full longer," said study author Hana Kahleova, M.D., Ph.D., director of clinical research at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. "The fact that simple meal choices can increase the secretion of these healthy hormones has important implications for those with type 2 diabetes or weight problems."
People that participated in the study also reported feeling more satisfied after consuming a vegan meal compared to non-vegan meals. That may be because vegan diets are rich in fiber, said the researchers; such food is bulkier without additional caloric content.
Sources: AAAS/Eurekalert! via Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Nutrients
