Vegan Diets: Energy Boost Or Myth?

There are many reasons to adopt a vegan diet, and one of the most significant benefits is increased energy. Without the burden of digesting animal products, your body has more energy to devote to other tasks. A vegan diet is typically high in fibre and low in saturated fat, reducing energy-sapping digestive problems. Many people who switch to a vegan diet report feeling a surge of energy, no longer needing their morning coffee to get them through the day. However, it's important to note that a vegan diet can also lead to nutrient deficiencies, particularly in vitamin B12 and iron, which can cause fatigue.

The body has more energy due to less energy spent on digestion

A vegan diet can give you more energy, and one of the reasons for this is that the body spends less energy on digestion. When you remove animal products from your diet, your body has more energy to devote to other tasks, leading to increased energy levels.

The human body requires less energy to digest plant-based foods than animal products. This is because plant-based foods are often high in fibre and low in saturated fat, which helps prevent energy-sapping digestive problems. A well-documented benefit of a vegan diet is that it is usually rich in vitamins and minerals, which are essential for maintaining energy levels.

Many people who switch to a vegan diet report feeling a surge of energy after an initial adjustment period, especially if their previous diet consisted heavily of animal products. This can be attributed to the body requiring less energy for digestion, as well as the absence of added sugars, saturated fats, and carbohydrates, which can slow you down.

The link between veganism and energy is not entirely clear, and more scientific research is needed to confirm this relationship. However, it is suggested that the increase in energy may result from an overall healthier diet, especially if a vegan diet means avoiding sugary treats and processed foods, which can cause sharp spikes and crashes in energy levels.

In addition to improved energy levels, a vegan diet has been linked to various other benefits, including weight loss, improved skin and gut health, and reduced risk of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

Lower levels of inflammation

Vegan diets are associated with lower levels of inflammation, which is beneficial for brain function and energy levels. Inflammation in the body means less energy is available to the brain, so eating anti-inflammatory foods helps ensure people wake up in a good mood and stay energised and focused throughout the morning.

Research has shown that a plant-based diet can improve cardiovascular health and help to decrease inflammation. This is partly because vegan diets are typically high in fibre and low in saturated fat, reducing the risk of energy-sapping digestive problems.

Vegan diets are also rich in vitamins and minerals, which are essential for sustaining energy levels. Many people who switch to a vegan diet report feeling a surge of energy, which is attributed to switching to plant-based meals.

In addition, a vegan diet can help reduce inflammation linked to various mental health conditions. This may be because plant-based diets are inherently healthier than omnivorous diets, and this improved physical health leads to improved mental health.

Vegan diets are also associated with a reduced risk of developing chronic illnesses like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. This is partly because plant-based foods are low in saturated fats, which can cause high levels of cholesterol and plaque build-up in the arteries if consumed in excess.

Less energy spent on keeping the body on the go

The brain requires a lot of energy to function properly, and when the body is inflamed, less energy is available to the brain. Plant-based foods are associated with lower levels of inflammation, allowing the brain to spend less energy keeping the body on the go.

Dr Uma Naidoo, a psychiatrist and nutrition specialist at Harvard Medical School, explains that "low-grade inflammation flips off a metabolic switch in the chemical pathway that produces energy". This means that when there is inflammation in the body, less energy is available to the brain.

By consuming a vegan diet, you can reduce the amount of energy your brain needs to spend on keeping your body going, as plant-based foods are less inflammatory. This "inflammatory" energy is then freed up for other tasks, giving you a natural energy boost.

Vegan diets are also typically high in fibre and low in saturated fat, reducing the risk of energy-sapping digestive problems. The body doesn't have to work as hard to digest plant-based foods compared to animal products, which can be difficult for the body to break down.

In addition, a vegan diet can help to improve your overall health and reduce your risk of developing chronic illnesses. With fewer toxins and chemicals, a plant-based diet promotes gut health and a diverse microbiome, which is essential for digestion, immune function, and metabolism.

By spending less energy on keeping your body on the go, you'll have more energy to devote to other tasks and activities, improving your overall quality of life.

A healthier diet overall

The vegan diet is often rich in vitamins and minerals essential for sustaining energy levels. A well-balanced vegan diet can be a great way to improve your overall health and increase your energy levels.

Vegan diets are typically high in fibre and low in saturated fat, reducing the risk of energy-sapping digestive problems. A plant-based diet can also help to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of heart disease, cancer, and other chronic illnesses.

However, it is important to note that a vegan diet can also lead to certain nutrient deficiencies, such as vitamin B12 and iron. These deficiencies can cause fatigue and tiredness, so it is important to ensure that a vegan diet is carefully planned to include all the necessary nutrients.

One way to increase energy levels on a vegan diet is to maximise iron absorption by consuming foods with vitamin C. For example, a breakfast of oatmeal with nuts and seeds, along with a glass of orange juice, can help increase iron absorption from the oats.

Another benefit of a vegan diet is the reduction of toxins and chemicals in the body. Vegan meals made with fresh, seasonal produce can promote gut health and a diverse microbiome, which is essential for overall health.

Overall, a vegan diet can be a great way to improve your health and increase your energy levels, but it is important to ensure that it is well-planned and includes all the necessary nutrients to avoid deficiencies.

Rich in vitamins and minerals

A vegan diet is often rich in vitamins and minerals, which are essential for sustaining energy levels. The diet typically includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds, which are good sources of nutrients like iron, vitamin C, vitamin B12, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants.

Vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids are especially abundant in animal products, so it is important for vegans to ensure they are getting enough of these nutrients from plant sources. Iron-rich vegan foods include dried fruits, fortified breakfast cereals and bread, kidney beans, lentils, nuts, peas, spinach, and white beans. Flax seeds and walnuts are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

Vitamin C helps with the absorption of iron, so it is beneficial to pair iron-rich foods with foods high in vitamin C. For example, a vegan salad with marinated tofu, red peppers, and avocados on a bed of spinach provides both protein and iron, and the vitamin C in the red peppers helps with iron absorption. Similarly, a breakfast of oatmeal with nuts and seeds, paired with a glass of orange juice, will boost iron intake thanks to the vitamin C in the juice.

Antioxidants found in plant-based foods help to protect the body against inflammation, which has been linked to various mental health conditions. A vegan diet can, therefore, improve mental health and energy levels by reducing inflammation.

In addition, a vegan diet is typically high in fibre and low in saturated fat, reducing the likelihood of energy-sapping digestive problems.

Frequently asked questions