Veganism: Who's Advocating And Why You Should Listen

The World Health Organization (WHO) does not explicitly advocate for a vegan diet, but it does recognize the potential health benefits associated with plant-based diets. The WHO has not released any official statements or guidelines specifically promoting veganism as the optimal dietary choice for everyone. However, it is worth noting that the organization has acknowledged the importance of plant-based sources of nutrition and the potential positive impact on health and the environment.

Veganism is a dietary choice that excludes all animal products, including meat, dairy, eggs, and honey. Some people adopt this lifestyle for ethical reasons, such as reducing animal suffering and deaths or minimizing their ecological footprint. Others may choose veganism for health benefits, as research suggests that plant-based diets can lower the risk of certain diseases and improve overall health.

While the WHO has not explicitly endorsed veganism, it is worth noting that they have recognized the importance of plant-based nutrition and the potential benefits associated with it. Additionally, the organization has provided guidelines and resources for those who choose to follow a vegan diet, ensuring that individuals can make informed decisions about their health and well-being.

Veganism is not just a diet but a lifestyle

Veganism is a lifestyle centred on ethics and the belief that animals should not be harmed or exploited by humans. It is not just about dietary choices, but also about abstaining from wearing or purchasing products made from animals, such as leather, and avoiding entertainment that involves animal exploitation, such as zoos and circuses.

Veganism is a way of living that seeks to minimise suffering and reduce harm to the environment. It is a conscious decision to live compassionately and respect the rights of animals, recognising that all sentient beings deserve a life free of suffering. This ideology extends beyond food choices and is reflected in various aspects of a vegan's daily life.

Vegans do not view animal-based foods as food, and their dietary choices are driven by a desire to avoid contributing to animal exploitation and suffering. They avoid all animal-derived products, including meat, dairy, eggs, and honey. This commitment to avoiding animal exploitation also extends to clothing, cosmetics, and other consumer goods. Vegans are mindful of purchasing products that are cruelty-free and not tested on animals, ensuring that their lifestyle choices align with their ethical beliefs.

The vegan lifestyle also involves making informed choices about entertainment and activities. Vegans avoid supporting industries that exploit animals for entertainment, such as zoos, circuses, and rodeos. They may also choose to avoid activities that harm wildlife, such as certain landscaping decisions, and opt for entertainment that aligns with their values, such as visiting and supporting animal sanctuaries.

Veganism is a holistic approach to living, encompassing not just food choices but also clothing, cosmetics, entertainment, and consumer goods. It is a conscious decision to minimise harm and live according to ethical principles that respect the rights and welfare of animals. By adopting this lifestyle, vegans demonstrate their commitment to reducing suffering and creating a more compassionate world.

Veganism is about rejecting animal exploitation

Veganism is often associated with a plant-based diet, but it is more than just a dietary choice. It is a philosophy and a lifestyle that promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of animals, humans, and the environment. The biggest industry in the world is animal exploitation, and veganism opposes this by advocating for a paradigm shift that views animals as sentient beings with rights, rather than property or resources.

Veganism is about recognising that all sentient beings, human or non-human, share a basic right not to be treated as objects or property. It involves renouncing the traditional attitude that humans have the right to use animals to serve their needs. This shift in perspective leads to a rejection of industries that exploit animals, such as farming, medicines, and vivisection.

Veganism is not just about individual choices but also about systemic change. It is about modelling a way of living that does not contribute to animal exploitation and advocating for a world where animals are free to exist in their own right. It is about educating others about the benefits of veganism and the reality of animal exploitation, using various methods and media to reach a diverse audience.

Veganism is a peaceful revolution, seeking to abolish vast industries and establish new ones that benefit both human and non-human animals. It is about embracing alternatives, showing compassion, and standing up for the rights of animals to be free from exploitation and cruelty.

Veganism is about reducing your ecological footprint

Animal agriculture is a major driver of climate change. It is the biggest industry in the world, and it is responsible for vast amounts of greenhouse gas emissions, land use, water use, and other environmental issues. By contrast, plant-based diets tend to be lower in unhealthy saturated fat and cholesterol.

A study by researchers at the University of Oxford found that cutting meat and dairy from your diet could reduce your carbon footprint from food by up to 73%. If everyone stopped eating these foods, global farmland use could be reduced by 75%, an area equivalent to the size of the US, China, Australia, and the EU combined. This would result in a significant drop in greenhouse gas emissions and free up wild land lost to agriculture, one of the primary causes of mass wildlife extinction.

However, it is important to note that not all plant-based foods have a small environmental footprint. For example, air-transported fruits and vegetables can create more greenhouse gas emissions per kilogram than poultry meat. Delicate fruits like blueberries and strawberries are often imported to Europe and the US by air to fill gaps when local fruits are out of season. Similarly, avocadoes, mangoes, and plums require large amounts of water, putting pressure on the local environment in water-stressed regions. Cocoa production is also a major driver of tropical deforestation and biodiversity loss, and almonds require large amounts of water, pesticides, and fertilizer.

Therefore, if you want to reduce your ecological footprint, it is important to be mindful of where your food comes from and how it is grown. Sticking to locally produced fruits and vegetables that are in season is generally the best approach.

Veganism is about improving your health

A vegan diet is richer in certain nutrients. Whole food vegan diets are generally higher in fiber, antioxidants, and beneficial plant compounds, as well as potassium, magnesium, folate, and vitamins A, C, and E. However, not all vegan diets are created equal. Poorly planned vegan diets may not provide sufficient amounts of vitamin B12, niacin, riboflavin, vitamin D, calcium, iodine, selenium, or zinc.

Eating vegan can help you lose excess weight. Many observational studies suggest that vegans tend to be thinner and have lower body mass indexes (BMIs) than non-vegans. Several randomized controlled studies also report that vegan diets are more effective for weight loss than the diets they are compared with.

A vegan diet may also provide benefits for type 2 diabetes and declining kidney function. Vegans tend to have lower blood sugar levels and higher insulin sensitivity and may have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. A 2006 study reported that a vegan diet lowers blood sugar levels in people with diabetes more than the recommended diet from the American Diabetes Association (ADA). In addition, a 2009 study found that 43% of participants following a vegan diet were able to reduce their dosage of blood sugar-lowering medication, compared to only 26% of participants who followed an ADA-recommended diet.

Vegan diets may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and are particularly effective at reducing blood sugar levels, which may help prevent further medical issues from developing.

Going vegan may also protect against certain cancers. Vegans generally eat more legumes, fruits, and vegetables than non-vegans, which may explain why a 2017 study found that vegans may benefit from a 15% lower risk of developing cancer. Eating legumes regularly may reduce your risk of colorectal cancer, and eating higher amounts of plant-based foods reduces your risk of several types of cancer, including stomach, lung, mouth, and throat cancers.

A well-balanced vegan diet includes plenty of whole grains and nuts, both of which are good for your heart. Vegan diets may benefit heart health by significantly reducing the risk factors that contribute to heart disease.

A vegan diet can also reduce pain from arthritis. Some studies have reported that a vegan diet has positive effects on people with different types of arthritis, including higher energy levels and better general functioning.

Veganism is about reducing animal deaths and suffering

The argument for veganism is often countered with the ""crop death" argument, which suggests that more animals are killed in the production of plant-based foods than in meat production. However, this argument fails to acknowledge that a significant proportion of plant crops are grown to feed livestock, not humans. Only around 55% of the world's crop calories feed humans directly, while 36% are given to livestock. As such, eating animal products causes not only the direct slaughter of those animals but also the indirect death of creatures killed in the harvesting of their food.

Research has shown that a vegan diet requires 75% less land than a meat-based diet, suggesting that most crop deaths are linked to omnivorous diets. Additionally, the vast majority of animals farmed for consumption are raised in intensive conditions, commonly known as factory farming, where they are forced to reside in cramped, stressful, and disease-prone conditions. Many animals die before they leave the farm, and the rest face a brutal death at the slaughterhouse.

By refusing to pay for animal products, vegans reduce the demand for them, ensuring fewer animals are bred to suffer and die. Veganism is about recognizing that all animals, whether they are dogs, pigs, chickens, or fish, deserve to live free from harm and suffering. It is about embracing a way of living that seeks to minimize harm and maximize compassion.

While it is impossible to live without causing any harm to other animals, veganism is a powerful way to dramatically reduce animal suffering and death. It is a peaceful revolution that opposes the exploitation of animals and establishes new industries that better serve the interests of both human and non-human animals.

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