Veganism: Diet Or Lifestyle Choice?

There is some debate as to whether veganism is a diet or a lifestyle. The term vegan was coined in 1944 by Donald Watson, an English animal rights advocate and founder of The Vegan Society, to describe a person who avoids using animals for ethical reasons. Veganism has since expanded to include a diet that excludes animal-derived foods, such as eggs, meat, fish, and dairy products. However, some people who follow a plant-based diet that excludes animal products may still refer to themselves as plant-based rather than vegan. This is because veganism is generally considered a lifestyle that goes beyond diet, encompassing choices such as clothing, personal care products, and household goods that are made without animal products or testing.

Veganism is a lifestyle, not just a diet

Veganism is generally defined as living in a way that avoids consuming, using, or exploiting animals as much as possible. While this allows for individual preferences and barriers, the overall intention is that minimal harm is done to animals through life choices. This includes not only diet but also clothing, personal care products, shoes, accessories, and household goods. For some vegans, this may also mean avoiding medications or immunizations derived from or tested on animals.

Veganism is also associated with a reduced environmental impact. Animal agriculture is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation, so by not consuming animal products, vegans can reduce their carbon footprint.

In addition, a vegan diet is typically rich in fiber, promoting healthy digestion and regular bowel movements. High-fiber diets are associated with a reduced risk of constipation and colon-related issues. Research also suggests that a diet high in fruits and vegetables can lower the risk of certain types of cancer.

However, it is important to carefully plan a vegan diet to avoid potential nutrient deficiencies, such as vitamin B12, iron, calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, and protein. Some research has linked strict vegan diets to adverse health outcomes, including nervous, skeletal, and immune system impairments, hematological disorders, and mental health problems due to potential micro and macronutrient deficits.

Overall, veganism is a lifestyle choice that goes beyond dietary preferences, seeking to minimize harm to animals and the environment while promoting health and well-being.

The vegan diet is linked to lower cancer rates

Veganism is more than just a diet. It is a lifestyle and a philosophy that seeks to exclude all forms of exploitation of and cruelty to animals.

A vegan diet is linked to lower cancer rates. A 15-year study by Oxford University found that, compared to meat-eaters, the overall cancer incidence was 11% lower in vegetarians and 19% lower in vegans. This corresponds with numerous other studies, including another by Oxford University, which found that people who don't eat meat have a 14% lower cancer risk.

The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 1.9 million cases of cancer in the US in 2022. Research shows that nearly 25% of overall cancer cases could be prevented with diet and nutrition alone. Plant-based diets are full of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and little to no meat or other animal products.

Plant-based foods contain phytochemicals, which are the nutrients that the immune system needs to fight diseases like cancer. They also contain more fibre, which has been shown to lower the risk of breast and colorectal cancer. Fibre keeps you feeling full for longer, helps lower cholesterol, stabilises blood sugar levels, and manages your bowels.

In addition, a vegan diet can help to lower the risk of cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. Eating too much meat, especially processed meat, can increase the risk of certain types of cancers, including colon and oesophageal cancer. Processed meats like deli meat, bacon, and hot dogs contain chemical preservatives that can increase cancer risk. Consuming red meat increases cancer risk as well.

Other Health Benefits of a Vegan Diet

In addition to being linked to lower cancer rates, a vegan diet has been shown to have other health benefits, including:

• Lower risk of cardiovascular disease
• Lower risk of type 2 diabetes
• Lower blood pressure
• Lower risk of dementia
• Reduced joint pain from arthritis

Vegans have a greater prevalence of mental health problems

Veganism is a lifestyle and a diet. The lifestyle is defined by a philosophy and way of living that seeks to exclude, as far as possible, all forms of exploitation of and cruelty to animals. This includes food, clothing, and any other purpose.

A more recent study by Jain et al. (2022) reviewed 25 studies investigating the association between vegetarian or vegan diets and depression. Of the 25 studies, 11 concluded that vegetarian or vegan diets are associated with higher rates of depression, 7 suggested that these dietary patterns are associated with a lower risk and symptoms of depression, and 7 found no association between vegetarian diets and depression.

The conflicting evidence in this area of research may be due to the relatively new nature of the field, as well as the use of inaccurate methodologies and self-recall bias. Longitudinal studies are needed to investigate the long-term effects of vegetarianism and veganism on mental health.

Veganism is good for the environment

Veganism is a philosophy and way of living that seeks to exclude all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose. It is a lifestyle choice that promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of animals, humans and the environment.

The Oxford study also found that meat and dairy production is responsible for 60% of agriculture's greenhouse gas emissions, while the products themselves provide just 18% of calories and 37% of protein worldwide. Researchers examined 40 agricultural products, covering 90% of all food eaten, and found that beef cattle reared on deforested land lead to up to 12 times more greenhouse gas emissions than those raised on natural pastures.

Veganism is probably the single biggest way to reduce your impact on the planet, according to Joseph Poore, lead author of the Oxford study. "It is far bigger than cutting down on your flights or buying an electric car, which would only reduce greenhouse gas emissions," he said.

Veganism is linked to better heart health

A vegan diet can also help to lower blood pressure. A review of studies on the link between diet and hypertension found that a vegan diet showed a greater reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure when compared to a vegetarian diet or a diet that includes meat.

In addition, a vegan diet can improve cholesterol levels. A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that a plant-based diet that includes nuts, plant protein from soy or tofu, viscous soluble fiber from oats and barley, and monounsaturated fats found in olive oil and avocado can lower the risk of heart disease in postmenopausal women.

Veganism can also help to reduce the risk of diabetes, which is a risk factor for heart disease. A study by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that a healthy, whole foods, plant-based diet is linked to a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Overall, a vegan diet that is rich in whole foods can provide numerous benefits for heart health. These benefits include lower blood pressure, improved cholesterol levels, reduced risk of diabetes, and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.

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