HEALTH

Do You Think Veganism Is Good?

A plant-based diet has many health benefits

Who is vegan?

A vegan is defined as a person who does not eat any food derived from animals and who also does not use other animal products.

The vegan society defines it in the following manner

“Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude — as far as is possible and practicable — all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of animals, humans and the environment. In dietary terms, it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals.”

The vegan society was registered in 1964. It is now very active.

Vegans make a style statement these days. A lot of friends of mine have become vegetarian. Some have tried to be vegan but they say that they are not able to sustain it for long.

Recently I met a person who has been vegan for the last two years. I met her while taking my evening walk. Let me narrate her experience of veganism.

My vegan walk friend

When I walk in the evenings I meet many people. One such person became a good walk friend. She owns a restaurant that serves Andhra(South Indian) food and it has both vegetarian and nonvegetarian food. I was surprised to know that she did not belong to Southouth India nor was she nonvegetarian but was a vegan.

I asked her what she eats and she told me about the vegan diet that she has. her diet comprises all kinds of fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, seeds, beans, and pulses. Anything that is plant-based was good for her. At night she only eats salads or some light food.

She told me that she did not have any milk-based products like cottage cheese, cheese, or eggs.

I was full of awe for her. Then I asked her what was her intake of proteins? How did she fill in that gap? She told me that she takes supplements and vitamins so she does not land into health problems.

Health benefits of a vegan diet

This type of diet may result in various health benefits, including improved blood sugar control and heart health. It can also help you lose weight

But a diet based exclusively on plant foods may, in some cases, increase your risk of nutrient deficiencies.

The following health benefits can be seen with a vegan diet.

Vegans tend to be thinner and have a lower body mass index (BMI) than non-vegans

An increasing number of people turn to vegan diets as a way to lose weight.

Vegan diets are linked to many health benefits, such as the following

• Cancer risk. Vegans may benefit from a 15% lower risk of cancer
• Arthritis. Vegan diets are effective at reducing symptoms of arthritis such as pain, joint swelling, and morning stiffness
• Kidney function. People with diabetes who substitute meat for plant protein may reduce their risk of kidney function
• Alzheimer’s disease. Observational studies show that aspects of the vegan diet may help reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease

Most of the studies supporting these benefits are observational. We cannot be sure until more research is done. However, research is going on and we will wait for more information on it.

Example of Veganism

I recently read

No mountain too high for vegan mountaineer Prakriti Varshney

Who is Prakriti Varshney?

She is the first vegan woman from India to conquer Everest!

She is 26 years old. She is a solo traveler and very passionate about mountain climbing and going on treks. She left her job to travel. She now lives in Manali because she feels she belongs there in the mountains.

Many people told her that if she remained a vegan she would not be able to fulfill her dream of climbing the mountains.

However, she has done it! So does a vegan diet matter?

A friend of mine Meera decided to become vegan. She was met with stiff opposition by her family and siblings because they believed that only a non-vegetarian diet helps in making you strong.

After listening to the feat by Prakriti Varshney their attitude has changed and they understood that a vegan diet cannot cause harm to health if good rich different kinds of fruits and vegetables are eaten in abundance.

So what are the takeaways?

• A vegan diet is not responsible for your failings in doing things.
• A vegan diet is as healthy as any other diet, you must know what to eat and make yourself strong.
• The number of people who have been cutting down on meat and dairy has been rising over the last decade. The number of vegans in the UK, quadrupled between 2006 and 2018, according to research by The Vegan Society.
• “We’ve never [seen] issues with protein deficiencies, only in people who don’t eat enough calories, he says. “Protein is in everything.”-Springman

“It’s unlikely a vegan diet will cause an iron deficiency, says Springman, as long as your diet includes fruit and vegetables of every colour”

To wrap up

We cannot say today that vegan is bad or meat eaters are bad. Both have their beliefs, thoughts, and philosophy. There are many people who speak one against the other. However, a vegan diet is difficult to keep up for many people. I would say it is a choice in lifestyle that must be made and whatever is suitable for each person.

I would say that if there are more examples of people doing things which does not affect their performance or more research takes place on health benefits the mindset of people will change.

Vegans can no longer be called weak or unhealthy in their style of living. It is a way of life and it must be respected. The example of PrakritiVarshney clearly shows that mountains can be climbed by vegans and they have enough strength to do so.

©Dr. Preeti Singh, 2022.

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