We at mybacs have been concerned with nutrition since day one and have also looked at different diets. Today we want to give you a short, informative overview of the veganism model. Are you thinking about switching to a vegan diet or are you already doing so, but haven't yet looked too much into nutrients in general? Then please read the article to the end, there is an important tip waiting for you in the last section!
1. Vegan Diet Basics
The vegan diet model has gained significant popularity in recent years and has become more of a focus of scientific research and the media. In contrast to vegetarianism, a meat-free diet, veganism means abstaining from all animal products, including eggs and milk. In direct comparison to 2016, the proportion of vegans in Germany has increased by 41%. In 2020, the number of people living vegan here was 1.13 million.
2. Impact on economy and society
This increase is also noticeable in the economy: the global value of the plant-based food market is now 36 billion US dollars, and there is no end to this growth in sight. In Germany, the avoidance of animal products is not only related to general animal welfare, but above all to the desire to make a contribution to ecological sustainability. On average, a German produces eleven tons of greenhouse gases such as CO2 per capita per year. With a vegan diet, this value is reduced to nine tons per year, as the carbon footprint of producing plant-based foods is lower than that of producing animal products.
3. What effect does a vegan diet have on my health?
Another reason many people give is that they want to do something good for their health and general well-being. But what positive influence does a vegan diet actually have on our health? Scientific studies show that a purely plant-based diet can have positive effects on our health, especially on variables such as blood pressure or body weight. In addition, a vegan diet is rich in fiber, antioxidants, magnesium and a variety of vitamins. A vegan diet helps to support the intestinal bacteria with natural nutrients and has an increased positive effect on their function. As a result, the risk of metabolic diseases can be reduced. In addition, a healthy intestinal microbiome leads to a reduction in the risk of inflammatory diseases and autoimmune diseases. Findings indicate that a plant-based diet can be associated with a reduction in the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases and cancer. High consumption of red meat and foods containing sugar and salt can increase the risk of disease. The vitamins and fiber contained in fruits and vegetables support the immune system , enabling it to counteract the development of cancer.
Nevertheless, the vegan diet is also reaching its limits. The dietary trend is a privilege because it is associated with high financial expenditure. Vegan (meat substitute) foods are usually organic and sustainably produced and are therefore often more expensive to buy than conventional foods such as dairy and meat products. However, thanks to the growing market, a slow improvement can be seen here.
4. Which nutrients you should pay attention to if you eat a vegan diet.
What should be kept in mind with a vegan diet is the balance of important nutrients by eliminating all foods of animal origin. Temporary nutrient deficiencies of iron or vitamin D, for example, can occur. These often manifest themselves in tiredness and lack of motivation. To prevent this, you can supplement with high-quality nutritional supplements to maintain these.
Diet is one of the strongest factors influencing a healthy gut. The majority of studies show that a plant-based diet offers the best conditions for a healthy microbiome. We recommend that anyone considering a vegan diet first look into the topic in depth and get an overview of the essential nutrients that must be obtained from new sources.
