About this website
The purpose of this website is to provide information/news about Veganism and animal abuse/welfare/rights. It is hoped this information will be used for research and prompt a consideration of why Veganism is so important, particularly at this time. While Veganism is concerned with diet and the environment, it must always be animal-centered. Veganism, which is not animal-centered, is not Veganism...
"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."
(Vegan Society)
The Future is Vegan...
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"Men dig their graves with their own teeth, and die more by those instruments than by all weapons of their enemies." (Pythagoras, 4th cent. BCE) |
Veganism and Health
Firstly, I believe even the most reasonable person will find it bizarre that anti-vegans spend so much time criticizing or challenging Veganism when they clearly have little or no knowledge about the subject. Secondly, it's noticeable that they rarely, if ever, give the source(s) for their assertion, indicating that they expect the reader to accept what they say, simply because they said it. It is also bizarre they suddenly consider themselves expert on the subject of nutrition and yet they do not appear to have read much about the matter. In most cases, they appear to be simply repeating "something they've read" without actually reading (and understanding) the entire article, or considering the motive behind it.
It should be borne is mind that the circulation of "misinformation," hostile to Veganism, is now well documented. One report in December 2023 stated: "Nearly a million social media posts have helped spread misinformation about alternative proteins and vegan diets, according to a new report. The analysis of 285 million social media posts identified around 948,000 containing misinformation, mostly on X (formerly known as Twitter). The posts sowed doubt about the benefits of plant-based food and helped to greenwash and “health-wash” meat and dairy products. Most of the engagement with the content came through a handful of rightwing commentators and politicians."
The objections frequently made about Veganism have been more than adequately answered (many times), but they keep being repeated (primarily by those with a personal 'axe to grind'): the most common are that the vegan diet does not provide enough protein, or sufficient vitamin B12, although even a momentary amount of research will reveal these are not valid arguments.
As far as the assertion that the vegan diet results in a lack of vitamin B12, the fact remains that a proper vegan diet will not have any deficiency of B12, as this is easily available (as I write this, I am drinking a cup of coffee made with soya milk substitute. containing B12).
One article quotes Jeffrey Soble, MD, a cardiologist at RUSH University Medical Center, who rightly says:
"Going vegan doesn't automatically guarantee good health....You can be overweight and be a vegan; you can be malnourished and be a vegan. Whatever your diet choice, you have to know which foods to avoid and which foods to seek out."This cannot be emphasized too much.
Source: https://www.veganfoodandliving.com/vegan-diet/the-truth-about-b12-and-where-to-get-it-on-a-vegan-diet/
More information regarding B12 can be found on https://www.vegansociety.com/resources/nutrition-and-health/nutrients/vitamin-b12/what-every-vegan-should-know-about-vitamin-b12
One useful and detailed article states: "Numerous studies now demonstrate that any actual deficiencies of B12 in a vegetarian or vegan diet are usually due to poor meal planning...Indeed it has been demonstrated that vitamin B12 from fortified foods is better absorbed than B12 from meat, poultry and fish. In the US, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences recommends that adults over 50 years obtain B12 from vitamin supplements or fortified foods because of the high incidence of impaired absorption of B12 from animal foods in this age group."
Source: https://viva.org.uk/materials/b12-and-the-vegan-diet-fact-sheet-2/
The reality is that B12 is easily available on a vegan diet, and there is no reason why a vegan should have a B12 deficiency.
"High-protein vegan foods: Pulses. Different pulses include: Lentils including puy, green, and red: Chickpeas, including hummus: Garden peas; Beans, including black-eyed, pinto, butter, cannellini, soya, edamame and kidney: Baked beans. Tofu; Nuts and seeds; Oats; Brown and wild rice; Vegetables - Asparagus; Avocado; Broccoli; Brussels sprouts; Cauliflower; Jerusalem artichokes; Kale; Spinach; Sweetcorn."
Source: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/best-sources-protein-vegans
"Vegan diets may support weight goals, blood pressure, heart health, and more For starters, vegans tend to have lower body mass indexes (BMI) than non-vegans, which may be associated with lower chronic disease risk in some populations. In addition, studies suggest that vegan diets are more effective at helping people lose weight than many other diets, including the Mediterranean diet.
A vegan diet has also been linked to a lower risk of cancer. What’s more, it also appears to reduce pain from arthritis and may further reduce your likelihood of experiencing age-related cognitive decline.
Protein is made up of chains of molecules known as amino acids. There are 20 amino acids found in nature that your body can use to build protein. Out of these 20 amino acids, 9 are considered essential, which means that your body cannot produce them itself, so you need to get them from your diet...
Plants also contain all nine essential amino acids — however, besides a few exceptions, most typically offer a limited amount of at least one essential amino acid...However, as long as you eat a variety of plant-based proteins, this shouldn’t pose a problem. You can still get sufficient amounts of all the essential amino acids your body needs."
Source: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/protein-for-vegans-vegetarians
"A person with a vegan diet does not eat meat, eggs, or dairy. While some people may think this heavily restricts their sources of protein, there is still an abundance of vegan-friendly protein they can consume. Having a vegan diet means that a person cannot take in protein from the same sources as a person with an omnivorous diet. An omnivore is a person who eats both animal and non-animal products. However, there are many plant-based sources of protein that a vegan person can consume. Nuts, grains, and legumes are protein sources, and they also contain additional nutrients that are beneficial to the body. Certain vegetables and seeds also contain good amounts of protein."
Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/vegan-protein-chart
"Despite evidence to the contrary, many people still believe that meat is either the exclusive or primary source of protein for our bodies. Meat companies take advantage of this myth. You may have noticed that restaurants often label the meat options ‘proteins’ – a strategy that would be lost on elephants and gorillas, who grow massive exclusively on plants.
Sadly, in industrialised countries, most people eat more protein than they need, due to general over-eating. Yet, people living outside these countries often struggle to achieve the recommended daily intake. Today, dieticians widely agree that plant-based diets are perfectly healthy."
Source: https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/four-ns-meat-justification
| In sum: "The idea that we need to eat meat to get enough protein and iron, a false assumption of some Paleo diet acolytes, is a common misconception. It ignores the abundance of protein and iron in many plant-based foods such as nuts, seeds and legumes. Similarly, consuming dairy is not necessary to obtain adequate dietary calcium, as this mineral is abundant in soy, lentils, beans, nuts, seeds, grains, leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables. Likewise, while we typically associate omega-3 fatty acids with fish, fish themselves incorporate these into their tissue by eating algae and seaweed, which we can consume directly without the concerns of exposure to accumulated mercury and microplastics in fish flesh. Indeed, a whole-food, plant-based diet can provide all essential nutrients except for vitamin B12, which is made by bacteria in soil and ingested by animals, thereby incorporated into their tissue, milk, and eggs....We can easily and cheaply obtain oral B12 supplements." Source: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-meatless-diet-is-better-for-you-and-the-planet/ |
"Guidelines for grains, fruits and vegetables have remained relatively unchallenged, perhaps because their message is to ‘eat more’, and is so well supported by research. Foods of plant origin are significant sources of energy, protein, vitamins and minerals in American diets (Gerrior & Zizza, 1994), and are unique or principal sources of vitamin C, folate, fibre and phytochemicals strongly associated with prevention of cancer (Steinmetz & Potter, 1991a,b; Block et al. 1992) and other chronic diseases...
Vegetarian populations often are reported to display lower rates of chronic diseases than non-vegetarians (Johnston, 1994), although evidence for protection against CHD [Coronary Heart Disease] is strongest (Key et al. 1998). Since many vegetarians also do not smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, or engage in other unhealthful lifestyle practices, their good health cannot easily be attributed to avoidance of meat or dairy foods (Dwyer, 1994). Nevertheless, even the most conservative nutrition professionals agree that the evidence is sufficiently compelling to overcome their concerns about risks for nutrient deficiencies and that ‘...appropriately planned vegetarian diets are healthful, are nutritionally adequate, and provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases’ (American Dietetic Association, 1997)...
What does seem clear is that diets based largely on plant foods are most associated with health and longevity, at least under conditions of food abundance. Substantial and compelling evidence supports the idea that people in industrialized and industrializing economies could reduce risks for chronic disease if they increased their intake of fruits, vegetables and grains in proportion to animal foods (Kushi et al. 1995)."
Marion Nestle, 'Meat or wheat for the next millennium?’ Plenary Lecture: 'Animal v. plant foods in human diets and health: is the historical record unequivocal?' Proceedings of the Nutrition Society (1999), 58, 211–218 211.
Source: https://www.foodpolitics.com/wp-content/uploads/animal-v-plant-foods1.pdf
"The results of our analyses suggest that men and women with a high consumption of processed meat are at increased risk of early death, in particular due to cardiovascular diseases but also to cancer."
Source: https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1741-7015-11-63
"The presented case is a dramatic example of the effect a plant-based diet can have on biometric outcomes like blood pressure, diabetes, and lipid profile. The reduction in HbA1C from 11.1% to 6.3% in 3 months is much better than would be expected with monotherapy with metformin6 or daily exercise. The improvement in blood pressure observed over a 4-month period with few medications is also rarely encountered in clinical practice and is likely related to a low-sodium diet and the avoidance of red meat...
The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee also performed a 2010 literature review to determine the effect of plant-based diets on stroke, cardiovascular disease, and total mortality in adults. They found that plant-based diets were associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality compared with non-plant-based diets...
In 2012, Huang et al performed a meta-analysis to investigate cardiovascular disease mortality among vegetarians and nonvegetarians. They only included studies that reported relative risks and corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Seven studies with a combined total of 124,706 participants were analyzed. Vegetarians had 29% lower ischemic heart disease mortality than nonvegetarians."
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3662288/
"A recent large cohort study with 10 years of follow-up found that a higher intake of total red meat and total processed meat was associated with an increased risk of mortality...Both unprocessed and processed red meat intakes were associated with an increased risk of total, CVD [cardiovascular disease] and cancer mortality in both men and women in the age-adjusted and fully-adjusted models..."
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3712342/
"In summary, vegetarians have consistently shown to have lower risks for cardiometabolic outcomes and some cancers across all three prospective cohorts of Adventists. Beyond meatless diets, further avoidance of eggs and dairy products may offer a mild additional benefit. Compared to lacto-ovo-vegetarian diets, vegan diets seem to provide some added protection against obesity, hypertension, type-2 diabetes; and cardiovascular mortality. In general, the protective effects of vegetarian diets are stronger in men than in women. At present, there are limited prospective data on vegetarian dietary patterns and body weight change, obesity and neurological disorders. Large dietary intervention trials on the effects of vegetarian diets on obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular outcomes are warranted to make meaningful recommendations for nutritional planning, assessment, and counseling."
Source: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/6/6/2131/htm
"Prevalence of type 2 diabetes was 2.9% among vegans, 3.2% among lactoovovegetarians, 4.8% among pescovegetarians, 6.1% among semivegetarians, and 7.6% among nonvegetarians...When the 4 vegetarian groups were compared separately with the nonvegetarian referent group, reduced risk was found in vegans for all cancer."
Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916523048815
"Conclusion: Vegan diets may confer a lower risk of prostate cancer."
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26561618/
"What we eat greatly influences our personal health and the environment we all share. Recent analyses have highlighted the likely dual health and environmental benefits of reducing the fraction of animal-sourced foods in our diets...Moving to diets with fewer animal-sourced foods would have major health benefits. Compared with the reference scenario, we project that adoption of global dietary guidelines (HGD) would result in 5.1 million avoided deaths per year [95% confidence interval (CI), 4.8–5.5 million] and 79 million years of life saved (CI, 75–83 million). The equivalent figures for the vegetarian (VGT) diet are 7.3 million avoided deaths (CI, 7.0–7.6 million) and 114 million life years saved (CI, 111–118 million) and for the vegan (VGN) diet 8.1 million avoided deaths (CI, 7.8–8.5 million) and 129 million life years saved (CI, 125–133 million). Differentiated by risk factor, more than half of avoided deaths (51–57% across the three scenarios) were due to decreased red meat consumption, 24–35% to increased fruit and vegetable consumption, and 19–30% to a lower prevalence of being overweight and obese associated with limiting excessive energy intake."
Source: https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.1523119113/
"The study, published today in the journal, Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences, is the first to estimate both the health and climate change effects of moving towards more plant-based diets for all major world regions. Lead author Dr Marco Springmann, of the Oxford Martin Programme on the Future of Food, said: 'What we eat greatly influences our personal health and the global environment. Imbalanced diets, such as diets low in fruits and vegetables, and high in red and processed meat, are responsible for the greatest health burden globally and in most regions. At the same time the food system is also responsible for more than a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions, and therefore a major driver of climate change.'...
They found that adopting diets in line with global dietary guidelines could avoid 5.1 million deaths per year by 2050. Even greater benefits could come from vegetarian diets (avoiding 7.3 million deaths) and vegan diets (avoiding 8.1 million deaths). Approximately half of the avoided deaths were due to reduction of red meat consumption, with the other half due to a combination of increased fruit and vegetable intake and a reduction in calories, leading to fewer people being overweight or obese.
The study projects that by 2050, food-related greenhouse gas emissions could account for half of the emissions the world can afford if global warming is to be limited to less than 2°C. Adopting global dietary guidelines would cut food-related emissions by 29%, vegetarian diets by 63%, and vegan diets by 70%, says the study."
https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2016-03-22-veggie-based-diets-could-save-8-million-lives-2050-and-cut-global-warming
"From a healthy decrease in cholesterol, blood pressure, and heart disease risk to weight loss, there seem to be plenty of health benefits to ditching dairy, meat, and eggs. A recent study even showed that a plant-based vegan diet could help people with type 2 diabetes manage weight and blood sugar levels. However, one thing that many people worry about when going vegan is getting enough protein.
Surprisingly, many top athletes - including world champions, martial artists, and an Olympic weightlifter - don't seem even slightly worried about getting enough protein from their vegan diets."
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/vegan-athletes-and-why-they-changed-their-diet-11
"This review of the literature suggests that consumption of higher amounts of plant-based foods may be associated with decreased PCa [prostate cancer] risk, and consumption of higher amounts of dairy products may be associated with increased PCa [prostate cancer] risk."
Source: https://jom.osteopathic.org/abstract/effect-of-plant-and-animal-based-foods-on-prostate-cancer-risk/
"A recent meta-analysis, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, looked at nine observational studies totaling over 300,000 participants to see how plant-based diets (both vegan and vegetarian) relate to type 2 diabetes risk. The study found that those most closely following plant-based diets (emphasizing foods like whole grains, legumes, nuts, vegetables, and fruits, while de-emphasizing or eliminating animal foods such as meat, dairy, and eggs) had a 23% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
In a 2016 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers analyzed the diets of over 26,000 men for nearly eight years. They found that vegan diets were linked with a 35% lower risk of prostate cancer compared to non-vegetarian diets.
And an extensive review of the literature published in The Lancet in February 2019 showed that a mostly plant-based diet could prevent approximately 11 million deaths per year globally, and could sustainably produce enough food for the planet’s growing population without further damage to the environment."
Source: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/with-a-little-planning-vegan-diets-can-be-a-healthful-choice-2020020618766
"The concept of vegetarian or vegan diets had been firmly linked to sports and exercise even in ancient history. However, since 2017 there has been a higher frequency of publication of review articles on veganism in sports than ever before, which all contribute to and reflect the increasingly high scientific interest in the linkages between a vegan diet and sport and exercise...
Based on an abundant body of scientific evidence about vegetarian and vegan diets in relation to health, it has been proven that the tremendous health benefits delivered by vegan diets are compatible with health and form a prerequisite for sports performance. A well-planned vitamin B12 supplemented and diligently implemented vegan diet promotes building muscle mass and strength, and a good state of health for athletes. Moreover, on this solid basis, vegan diets applied to sports-related dietary tactics are compatible with high performance and competitive sports, too."
Source: https://www.researchgate.net/
"Higher intakes of dairy milk were associated with greater risk of breast cancer, when adjusted for soy intake. Current guidelines for dairy milk consumption could be viewed with some caution."
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32095830/
"Conclusions: Among generally healthy adults, contrasting Plant with Animal intake, while keeping all other dietary components similar, the Plant products improved several cardiovascular disease risk factors, including TMAO; there were no adverse effects on risk factors from the Plant products.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03718988.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32780794/
"Consuming a plant-based diet – rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains – provides an array of health benefits, says Kimberly Schreyer, a registered dietitian nutritionist with Newton Medical Center in Newton, New Jersey...The health advantages of following a plant-based eating regimen include: Reduced inflammation; Decreased risk of developing chronic diseases; Increased energy."
Source: health.usnews.com/wellness/food/articles/tips-to-adjust-to-a-plant-based-diet
"According to the American Dietetic Association, 'appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. Well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, adolescence, and for athletes.'
Dr. Reshma Shah, a physician, says that there are a few key nutrients that strict vegans and vegetarians should keep in mind, including B12, iron, calcium, iodine, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D, but all of these can be obtained through plant-based foods, including fortified plant-based milks, fresh fruits and vegetables or supplemental vitamins, if needed. 'I think the number one concern for people is that they won’t be able to get enough protein eating a plant-based diet. I also think that people widely overestimate the amount of protein they need.' All plant foods contain the nine essential amino acids required to make up the proteins you need, and many vegetarian foods like soy, beans, nuts, seeds and non-dairy milk products have comparable amounts of protein to animal foods."
Source https://news.stanford.edu/report/2021/05/06/embracing-plant-based-diet/
"Plant-based diets are more environmentally sustainable than meat-based diets and have a reduced environmental impact, including producing lower levels of greenhouse gas emissions. Dietary guidelines are normally formulated to enhance the health of society, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and prevent nutritional deficiencies...
Consuming plant-based diets is safe and effective for all stages of the life cycle, from pregnancy and lactation, to childhood, to old age. Plant-based diets, which are high in fiber and polyphenolics, are also associated with a diverse gut microbiota, producing metabolites that have anti-inflammatory functions that may help manage disease processes."
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34836399
"Vegans generally eat considerably more legumes, fruits, and vegetables than nonvegans. This may explain why a 2017 study found that vegans may benefit from a 15% lower risk of developing cancer. For instance, eating legumes regularly may reduce your risk of colorectal cancer by 9–18%. And according to the National Cancer Institute, eating higher amounts of plant-based foods reduces your risk of several types of cancer, including stomach, lung, mouth, and throat cancers. It may also reduce the risk of colon, prostate, and pancreatic cancers. What’s more, vegan diets generally contain more soy products, which may offer some protection against breast cancer. Avoiding certain animal products may also help reduce the risk of prostate, breast, stomach, and colorectal cancers. Red meat, smoked meat, or processed meats and meats cooked at high temperatures are thought to promote certain types of cancers."
Source: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vegan-diet-benefits/
"Plant-based diets are growing across Asia...Even mainstream US health organizations are recommending a plant-based diet. This includes, among others, Kaiser Permanente, the largest health care organization in the US; the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee; and the American Institute for Cancer Research...People are also becoming more aware of the health benefits of eating more fruits and vegetables — and of the health impacts of eating meat and animal products. The World Health Organization linked processed meats, like bacon and ham, to cancer back in 2015. And according to a major study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences: A global reduction in meat consumption by 2050 could save up to eight million lives per year, $31 trillion in reduced costs from health care and climate change — and, even, the planet."
Source: https://foodrevolution.org/blog/vegan-statistics-global/
"You can get the nutrients you need from eating a varied and balanced vegan diet including fortified foods and supplements."
Source: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/how-to-eat-a-balanced-diet/the-vegan-diet/
"Plant-based diets are also linked to several other health benefits, including lower blood pressure, better-regulated blood sugar levels, and a healthier heart...
Myth #1: ‘Vegans are malnourished and get ill a lot’. One of the biggest myths about plant-based diets is that they lack many important nutrients and may subsequently lead to malnutrition. However, evidence suggests this isn’t the case. According to a study published in Nutrition Reviews, vegan diets tend to consistently rate higher than others in terms of their quality and nutritional value. They may also provide many health benefits. Multiple studies, reviewed in Current Nutrition Reports, have reported that plant-based diets can reduce the risk of developing several different types of cancer. They can also boost longevity and protect against cardiovascular problems, as demonstrated in a recent meta-analysis in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine. So as long as you follow a well-balanced diet, there’s no need to worry.
Myth #2: ‘Vegans can’t get enough protein’. There’s a strong belief that animal-based products are the only good sources of protein, but in reality, this isn’t the case. Indeed, meat, dairy and eggs provide a great deal of this important macronutrient, but so do beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, soy-based products (such as tofu and tempeh), spirulina and many types of grains. Even certain vegetables, such as broccoli, asparagus, leafy greens and sprouts will top up your protein intake."
Source: https://www.livescience.com/veganism-for-athletes
"In conclusion, consumption of vegetarian and vegan diets reduces blood levels of atherogenic lipoproteins. Shifting to plant-based diets at a populational level will reduce emissions of greenhouse gasses considerably—together making these diets efficient means towards a more sustainable development, while at the same time reducing the growing burden of ASCVD (atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease)."
Source: https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/44/28/2609/7177660/
"The overwhelming majority of intervention studies demonstrate that plant-based diets result in lower blood pressure readings when compared to diets that are based on animal products."
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37178356/
"Other studies support the fact that, in general, vegans tend to be thinner and have a lower body mass index (BMI). In one study, over an 18 week period, a low-fat vegan diet helped participants lose 4.2kg more than those on a control diet. An added benefit is that a vegan diet is naturally lower in calories making calorie counting and portion control unnecessary...Enjoying a diet packed with vegan-friendly foods such as wholegrains, legumes, fruit and veg, is associated with a lower risk of heart disease and stroke. Following a vegetarian or vegan diet is associated with lower blood pressure and better cholesterol management. Male vegans appear to enjoy even greater cardiovascular benefits, with notable reductions in a number of cardiac risk factors...People who adopt a vegan diet tend to have higher insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels and as a result a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes...Studies examining the impact of plant-based diets appear to show that the best outcome for all risk of cancers is achieved from a well-balanced vegan diet...A diet rich in antioxidant-rich whole foods including a varied and plentiful supply of fruit and vegetables combined with fewer trigger foods may decrease inflammatory reactions such as those seen in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Epidemiological studies have associated higher intakes of the foods typically found in a vegan diet, such as fruits and vegetables, with positive skin health...Wholefood vegan diets, which include fortified foods, are associated with better health...The high fruit and veg intake, low levels of sodium (salt) and saturated fat all mean vegan diets tend to score highly in the healthy stakes.
Source: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/health-benefits-vegan-diet
"A plant-based diet will help you and the planet live much longer, according to two new studies published by research teams from different parts of the world. A groundbreaking study from the University of Oxford suggests that adopting a vegan diet could significantly reduce the environmental impact of our food choices. This study, published in Nature Food, is considered one of the most exhaustive analyses of its kind, connecting dietary patterns with the environmental impacts of food production...
In a parallel line of research, a team from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that not only does a plant-based diet benefit the planet, but it could also extend our lifespan. In this study, researchers found that individuals following an environmentally sustainable diet were 25 percent less likely to die during a follow-up period of more than 30 years than those with less sustainable diets. This research identified foods that are beneficial for both health and the environment—such as whole grains, fruits, non-starchy vegetables, nuts, and unsaturated oils. It also pointed out foods potentially detrimental to both, such as red and processed meat, and eggs."
Source: https://vegnews.com/vegan-news/vegan-diet-emissions-longevity-study
"The consumption of a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, unsaturated fats, with minimal fish and poultry and no red meat, processed food, or sugar is believed to potentially bring about sustainability in human and environmental health."
Source: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20231110/Diverse-plant-based-diets-emerge-as-key-to-combating-non-communicable-diseases-and-climate-change.aspx
"Replacing meat and dairy with whole grains, beans, nuts and olive oil may significantly reduce cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, according to a major review into the impact of diet on health. Researchers in Germany analysed 37 published studies to assess the benefits of switching from red and processed meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products to plant-based foods such as beans, nuts, whole grains, oils, fruit and vegetables. They found marked reductions in cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes and a lower risk of dying from any cause during the periods covered by the studies, especially when red and processed meats were replaced with plant-based foods."
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/nov/16/plant-based-swaps-may-cut-diabetes-and-heart-disease-risk-major-review-finds
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"Are plant-based diets healthy? Research reflects that following a plant-based diet has significant health benefits as long as you do it correctly. 'No matter when you start, a diet that is focused on plant foods will help you work toward the prevention of many illnesses and feeling better overall,' Julia Zumpano, RD, LD, says. If followed properly, a whole foods, plant-based diet limits the use of oils, added sugars and processed foods, leaving only whole foods to provide nutrition. This maximizes nutrient intake and virtually eliminates foods that can lead to poor health outcomes. These diets are low in saturated fat, free of cholesterol, and rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Research also reveals that following this type of diet will lower your risks of: Heart disease. Hypertension (high blood pressure). Diabetes. Digestive disease. Colon and breast cancers. Obesity. Studies also show that a plant-based diet can help to lower body weight and reduce your LDL cholesterol." Source: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-a-plant-based-diet-right-for-you |
On 30 November 2023, the JAMA Network published the results of a study that asked "What are the cardiometabolic effects of a healthy plant-based (vegan) vs a healthy omnivorous diet among identical twins during an 8-week intervention?" The conclusion was (my emphasis):
"In this randomized clinical trial of the cardiometabolic effects of omnivorous vs vegan diets in identical twins, the healthy vegan diet led to improved cardiometabolic outcomes compared with a healthy omnivorous diet. Clinicians can consider this dietary approach as a healthy alternative for their patients."
Source: Matthew J. Landry, PhD, RDN1, et al. 'Cardiometabolic effects of omnivorous vs vegan diets in identical twins: a randomized clinical trial', 2023;6(11):e2344457. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.44457 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2812392
Veganism can not only produce and sustain better health, but improve poor health. In March 2024, in 'Effect of a Dietary Intervention on Insulin Requirements and Glycemic Control in Type 1 Diabetes: A 12-Week Randomized Clinical Trial', it was reported "This study compared the effects of a low-fat vegan diet to those of a portion-controlled diet in people with type 1 diabetes. Over 12 weeks, the average total daily dose of insulin decreased significantly and insulin sensitivity increased significantly in the vegan group, while no significant changes were observed in the group receiving the portion-controlled diet. Total and LDL cholesterol decreased in the vegan group, as did the ratio of blood urea nitrogen to creatinine. A1C decreased in both groups. These findings suggest that a low-fat vegan diet may yield improvements in insulin sensitivity, insulin requirements, glycemic control, and markers of cardiovascular and renal health compared with a portion-controlled diet in people with type 1 diabetes."
Source: https://diabetesjournals.org/clinical/article/doi/10.2337/cd23-0086/154329/Effect-of-a-Dietary-Intervention-on-Insulin
Another example is Crohn's Disease: "A whole food diet has previously been proposed as a successful adjunct to therapy in patients with Crohn’s Disease. Case series of patients treated with a Crohn’s Disease Elimination Diet (CDED) have reported six-week remission rates of 70.6% in newly diagnosed patients and 62% in patients with established disease. A plant-based diet appears to be beneficial for human health by promoting the development of more diverse microbial systems. Higher fiber intake also encourages the growth of species that ferment fiber into metabolites as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including acetate, propionate, and butyrate. The positive health effects of SCFAs are myriad, including improved immunity against pathogens, blood–brain barrier integrity, provision of energy substrates, and regulation of critical functions of the intestine."
Source: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/6/1385
It should be noted that even animal produce such as eggs is not good for human health:
"Our findings suggest that regular consumption of egg yolk should be avoided by persons at risk of cardiovascular disease. This hypothesis should be tested in a prospective study with more detailed information about diet, and other possible confounders such as exercise and waist circumference."
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22882905/
"Newly published research led by Dr. David Spence of Western University shows that eating egg yolks accelerates atherosclerosis in a manner similar to smoking cigarettes. Surveying more than 1200 patients, Dr. Spence found regular consumption of egg yolks is about two-thirds as bad as smoking when it comes to increased build-up of carotid plaque, a risk factor for stroke and heart attack. The research is published online in the journal Atherosclerosis."
Source: https://www.schulich.uwo.ca/schulichhome/articles/2012/08/13/egg-yolk-consumption-almost-as-bad-as-smoking-when-it-comes-to-atherosclerosis.html
"A study in the journal Atherosclerosis found that eating just 3 eggs or more a week was associated with a significant increase in artery-clogging plaque buildup in people’s carotid arteries going to their brain, a strong predictor of stroke, heart attack, and death."
Source: https://nutritionfacts.org/blog/eggs-vs-cigarettes-in-atherosclerosis/
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"Vegetarian diets, including strict vegetarianism (veganism), are considered healthy and nutritionally adequate, and can supply people’s nutritional needs at all life stages, as long as such diets are well planned.. Moreover, the benefits related to the prevention and better control of chronic diseases among vegetarians have already been described, and could also lead to positive outcomes in their QoL..The prevalence of diabetes among vegetarians is 1.6 to 2 times lower than among omnivores...A vegetarian diet may also contribute to improving inflammation control...A vegetarian diet may also bring benefits regarding cancer prevention. In addition to vegetarians’ better weight control results, which can be considered a protective factor against cancer, their higher consumption of dietary fibers could have protective effects due to the modulation of the intestinal microbiota...In addition to the most common chronic diseases mentioned above, adopting a vegetarian diet can help to prevent and treat other inflammatory diseases... Following a more sustainable diet, which will contribute to a healthier environment...In general, plant-based diets are more sustainable than those based on animal foods, as they require fewer natural resources for food production and have a lower impact on the environment. An omnivorous diet is estimated to require 2.9 times more water, 2.5 times more energy, 13 times more fertilizers, and 1.4 times more pesticides than a vegetarian diet.. In addition, meat and dairy production contribute 80 percent of all gas emissions from food production, and 24 percent of total greenhouse gases coming from food. Livestock production uses about 70 percent of all agricultural land globally, and consumes 29 percent of all water spent on agriculture... Regarding the analysis of different types of diets, the data from 34 articles gathered in a systematic review showed that the more a diet is plant-based, the more sustainable it is. The vegan diet was considered the most sustainable of all, with the lowest greenhouse gas emissions and the least environmental impact... The production of animal-origin food is very inefficient in terms of energy, as it requires the use of many resources (water, energy, land, food) to keep animals alive...On average, the energy used to produce each gram of animal protein (25 kcal/g) is 11 times greater than that used to produce vegetable proteins (2.2 kcal/g)... The replacement of animal foods with plant-origin foods could reduce the number of premature deaths by up to 12 percent, and greenhouse gas emissions by up to 84 percent." Source: S, M. Hargreaves, et. al., 'Vegetarian Diet: An Overview through the Perspective of Quality of Life Domains', Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2021 Apr; 18(8): 4067. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8069426/ |
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34489306/
"Conclusion: Plant-based and mainly vegetarian diets were associated with a lower incidence of COVID-19 infection. These dietary patterns may be considered protective against COVID-19 infection."
Source: https://nutrition.bmj.com/content/bmjnph/early/2024/01/02/bmjnph-2023-000629.full.pdf
"A predominantly plant-based or vegetarian diet is linked to 39% lower odds of COVID-19 infection, finds research published in the open access journal BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health...Several studies have suggested that diet may have an important role in the evolution of COVID-19 infection, as well as in the factors that heighten the risk of its associated complications."
Source: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240109/Plant-based-diets-pack-an-antiviral-punch-against-COVID-19.aspx
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"The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) website included the research paper 'Industrial Livestock Production and Global Health Risks'. This states: "Pathogens have been shown to readily move in and out of poultry and swine houses. Pathogen entry was demonstrated in a recent study of Campylobacter-free broiler flocks, housed in sanitized facilities, using standard biosecurity measures, and fed Campylobacter-free feed and water. Seven out of ten flocks became colonized with Campylobacter by the time of slaughter and two flocks were colonized by Campylobacter strains genetically indistinguishable from strains isolated from puddles outside of the facility prior to flock placement... Other pathogens have been shown to readily move in and out of poultry and swine houses. Pathogen entry was demonstrated in a recent study of Campylobacter-free broiler flocks, housed n sanitized facilities, using standard biosecurity measures, and fed Campylobacter-free feed and water. Seven out of ten flocks became colonized with Campylobacter by the time of slaughter and two flocks were colonized by Campylobacter strains genetically indistinguishable from strains isolated from puddles outside of the facility prior to flock placement. Although the route of entry was not determined, this study clearly shows that some pathogens in the immediate environment of a poultry facility have a high chance to overcome standard bioexclusion measures. Contaminated air exiting the house via ventilation systems becomes a source of Campylobacter to the external environment and microbes may be carried some distance by wind and surface water transport." Source: https://www.fao.org/3/bp285e/bp285e.pdf ""Diseases passed to humans from animals (zoonoses) constitute 75% of emerging infectious diseases. Farmed animals are considered a high zoonotic risk, especially poultry and pigs as evidenced by recent outbreaks of avian and swine influenza...The disease risks to humans from industrialized intensive animal farming, and especially mixed swine and poultry farms, are enormous, and must not be understated...The authors therefore strongly discourage granting any planning applications for new or expanding industrialized intensive animal farms, especially poultry and pig farms or a mix thereof." Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2023.1310303/full |
Source: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/do-vegans-live-longer#population-studies
"Brooke Jacob, a registered dietitian...says: “Vegan diets have been linked to the reduction of risk for multiple chronic health conditions associated with heart disease, type 2 diabetes, certain types of cancer, and obesity. Due to its potential disease prevention links, it is not surprising that vegans may live longer, as following a vegan diet is linked to reduced occurrence of chronic disease. However, more research is needed to definitively conclude that vegans live longer than non-vegans".”
Source: https://www.livescience.com/do-vegans-live-longer
"Studies in vegans are still limited. Epidemiologic studies consistently show lower disease rates, such as lower incidence of cancer and cardiovascular disease, but mortality rates are comparable with rates in vegetarians and occasional meat eaters. Reasons for following strict vegan diets differ, which may affect diet quality, and thus health and life-span."
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31895244/
So, in sum, vegans live as long as non-vegans, or perhaps longer. While there is still uncertainty about whether vegans live longer, they certainly do not live shorter lives. And yet, anti-vegans continue to claim that not eating meat is not compatible with human physiology, and we should therefore eat meat. But if vegans "needed to" eat meat, then vegans would inevitably suffer poor health, and yet they do not. They would die earlier, but they do not.
Source https://www.mensjournal.com/health-fitness/how-much-soy-can-you-really-eat-before-it-affects-your-testosterone-w479484
And "Soy foods, such as tofu, edamame, and soy protein isolates, contain phytoestrogens. These compounds are physically similar to the estrogen in the body and function in a similar way. An older 2014 study in the journal German Medical Science noted that although scientists have carried out a lot of research into soy, they still do not understand it fully. The paper notes that many studies have not found a connection between eating soy products and altered serum testosterone or estrogen levels. In fact, one 2021 review concludes that neither soy nor phytoestrogens have any impact on testosterone levels. Another study the same year confirms there is no evidence supporting the claim that phytoestrogens disrupt the human endocrine system."
Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325186
And: "Does soy lower testosterone? While some independent studies have claimed strong links between soy consumption and reduced testosterone, larger clinical analyses have found no link at all. Data at present suggests that neither soy foods, nor isoflavone supplements alter measures of bio-available T[estosterone] concentrations in men, and that due to the many health-related benefits that come with soy, mean should not be afraid to include it in their diet."
Source https://www.testofuel.com/tf/does-soy-lower-testosterone
Also "Concerns that the phytoestrogens (isoflavones) in soy may feminize men continue to be raised...Regardless of the statistical model, no significant effects of soy protein or isoflavone intake on any of the outcomes measured were found. Sub-analysis of the data according to isoflavone dose and study duration also showed no effect."
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33383165/
One article reported: "According to a recent study, gladiators were mostly vegetarians and their diets consisted, above all, of barley and vegetables...The results of the study were reported in...the November/December issue of Archaeology magazine (a publication of the Archaeological Institute of America)...In contemporary accounts of gladiator life, gladiators were often referred to as hordearii, which literally means ‘barley men’. The results of the bone analyses revealed that gladiators ate considerably more plants and very little animal protein compared to the average inhabitant of Ephesus."[1]
The BBC reported "Roman gladiators had a diet that was mostly vegetarian, according to an analysis of bones from a cemetery where the arena fighters were buried. The study has been carried out by academics from the Medical University of Vienna in Austria and the University of Bern in Switzerland. They found the gladiator diet was grain-based and mostly meat-free." The BBC article also reported, "The researchers say that gladiators were mainly prisoners of war, slaves and condemned offenders. But there were also people who volunteered to train and take part in contests. They estimate that men taking part in gladiator contests had a one-in-nine chance of being killed, each time they fought."[2] Most, but not, all gladiators were slaves and their owners fed them. The owners had a vested interest in keeping them as fit and healthy as possible, as they represented an investment and would win in the gladiatorial "games". The fact that the Ephesus excavations show their diet was primarily meat-free speaks volumes.
These findings are detailed in Lösch, Moghaddam, et al., 'Stable Isotope and Trace Element Studies on Gladiators and Contemporary Romans from Ephesus (Turkey, 2nd and 3rd Ct. AD) - Implications for Differences in Diet', PLOS, October 15, 2014, the conclusion of which was "The stable isotope values show that all individuals consumed C3 plants, such as wheat and barley as staple food. A few individuals also show signs for consumption of C4 plants. The different groups' (gladiators, NG-males, females, infants) stable isotope data do not differ significantly. The δ15N values of Ephesus are relatively low compared to other sites from Roman times.""
[1]https://www.historytoday.com/archive/history-matters/gladiators-were-vegetarians
[2]https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-29723384
"So far, there has not been concrete evidence that shows the positive effects of Vitamin B12 supplementation in patients with or prone to depression. However, some studies have shown positive effects on patients with depression when supplementation of Vitamin B12 is implemented. Some clinical studies have shown that higher Vitamin B12 levels in the body resulted in better outcomes in patients suffering from depressive and other mental health disorders."
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7688056/
Despite the suggestion that a vegan diet is associated with depression, it is also reported:
"While studies disagree, there is evidence that a vegan diet has several mental health benefits...Vegan diets have been shown to provide mood benefits and decrease various mental health issues. One study performed by a U.S. insurance agency included participants who were overweight or had a history of diabetes...A 2015 study showed that vegans tend to report less stress and anxiety than their meat-eating counterparts.
While one research review stated that a plant-based diet might increase depression symptoms, other studies have suggested that it may be processed foods, not lack of meat, to blame. A study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry analyzed the diets and risk of depression in 3,486 participants over a five-year period. Participants who eat more whole foods reported fewer symptoms of depression than those who ate mostly processed foods."
Source: https://earth911.com/living-well-being/can-a-plant-based-diet-affect-your-mental-health/"
In 2023, the Guardian included an account by someone who decided to try Veganism:
"My body weight was lower when vegan and higher during non-veganism. After two months of non-veganism, I’d gained 1.6kg, then when switching to veganism for the next two months I lost 1.2kg. But my rated daily enjoyment of food was close to identical during vegan and non-vegan days. There was a similar story for my mental health. My weekly recordings of depression and anxiety symptoms were nearly identical during both study periods...The noteworthy point of this is the fact that the author, Eric Robinson, is a behavioural scientist and professor in psychology.
And what did I decide about long-term veganism? For me, the likely benefits for my health, the environment and reducing animal suffering outweigh the minor inconveniences. As I write this, nine months after the experiment finished, I’m still a committed vegan."
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/sep/07/scientific-self-experiment-vegan-diet-meat-diet
On 8 November 2023, Ktvq reported that "A drug commonly used by American farms to treat pigs faces potential removal from the market. The Food and Drug Administration issued a “final order to revoke” carbadox from the market due to concerns about its potential cancer risk in humans who consume pork products from animals treated with the drug."
Source: https://www.ktvq.com/fda-could-ban-drug-used-to-treat-pigs-over-cancer-risks-for-humans.
A useful article (pdf) dealing with the subject of antibiotics given to animals is 'Antibiotics in animal farming'. Another is 'UK falls behind the EU on farm antibiotic standards'.
The Guardian reported that "Antibiotic use is another red flag area. There is now overwhelming evidence that the routine prophylactic use of antibiotics is leading to the rise of antibiotic resistant superbugs, and the World Health Organisation has issued warnings that if we don’t do something to curb antibiotic use in both human and animal medicine we will face a post-antibiotic era where currently treatable diseases will once again kill.”
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/oct/04/factory-farming-destructive-wasteful-cruel-says-philip-lymbery-farmageddon-author
Medical News Today has stated: "According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), antibiotic resistance is responsible for 25,000 annual deaths in the European Union and 23,000 annual deaths in the U.S. As many as 2 million U.S. individuals develop a drug-resistant infection each year. By the year 2050, some researchers predict that antibiotic resistance will cause 10 million deaths every year, surpassing cancer as the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Some of the factors that have led to this crisis include the overprescription of antibiotics, poor sanitation and hygiene practices in hospitals, and insufficient laboratory tests that can detect an infection quickly and accurately. An additional factor that may contribute to drug resistance in humans is the overuse of antibiotics in farming and agriculture. Using antibiotics in animals may raise the risk of transmitting drug-resistant bacteria to humans either by direct infection or by transferring “resistance genes from agriculture into human pathogens,” researchers."
Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323639
On 29 November 2023, the Hippocratic Post reported: "Resistant E. coli and Salmonella associated with antibiotic use in factory farms in 2022 caused almost 2000 human deaths and could rise to over 2,400 a year by 2050 according to World Animal Protection UK’s new report ‘Is Factory Farming Killing us’. The research – undertaken by University of Bologna Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences’ scientist Massimo Canali and released today...Antibiotic resistance is a threat to human health, yet 75% of the world’s antibiotics are used on farmed animals. 80% of UK farmed animals live on factory farms where 75% of antibiotics are intended for whole herds, often routinely administered to prevent illness rather than treat it so that animals survive the filthy, cramped, cruel conditions and mutilations."
Source: https://www.hippocraticpost.com/nutrition/overuse-of-antibiotics-true-toll-of-uk-deaths/.
The following month, the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy reported that a summary from FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine released on 7 December 2023 "show that sales of medically important antibiotics for use in food-producing animals rose by 4% last year." The summary revealed that "6.2 million kilograms of antibiotics were sold and distributed for use in livestock (chicken, turkey, cattle, swine, etc)". This represented an increase on the previous year.
Source: https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/antimicrobial-stewardship/new-fda-report-shows-more-antibiotics-being-sold-food-animals
In its paper 'Tackling antimicrobial resistance in food and agriculture', the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, stated (pp.1,2):
"In addition to its direct impact on human and animal health, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) also poses risks to food and agricultural systems, food safety, food security, livelihoods, economies and environment, including soils and water...Antimicrobial resistance in food and agriculture: In addition to its direct impact on human and animal health, AMR poses certain risks to food and agricultural systems, food safety, food security, livelihoods and economies. It is estimated that more than 70 percent of all antimicrobials sold worldwide are used on animals raised for food. (Van Boeckel et al., 2017)."
Source: https://www.fao.org/3/cc9185en/cc9185en.pdf
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It is surely ironic that some choose to criticize Vegans for such things as a lack of B12 (actual or supposed) etc., and yet say little or nothing about the grave health risks caused to so many people by the farming of animals (and
their consumption). For example: "The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, titled, 'The Long Shadow of the Animal Industry', states that 'The meat industry has a marked impact on a general global scale on water, soils, extinction of plants and animals, and consumption of natural resources, and it has a strong impact on global warming'... The livestock industry is the source of a broad spectrum of environmental impacts. The first and most important is climate change. In the third chapter of the FAO report, it is estimated that 18% of global greenhouse gas emissions are caused by the livestock industry...According to Goodland and Anhang...the global livestock industry is responsible for at least 51% of the greenhouse gases emitted to the atmosphere and the amount of carbon dioxide is estimated at 32,564 million tons. This large difference stems partly from the FAO using outdated sources from the years 1964–2001. Nevertheless, even if greenhouse gas emissions are estimated at only 18%, the livestock industry is still the second-largest polluter after the electricity industry, and more polluting than the transportation industry, which contributes approximately 13%... Researchers warn that we will probably exceed the 565 gigaton carbon dioxide limit by the year 2030 due to livestock rearing. In addition, the livestock industry is responsible for 68% of enterogenic nitrous oxide emissions; this gas remains in the atmosphere for up to 150 years and has a 296-fold greater potential for global warming and deterioration of the ozone layer than carbon dioxide. Livestock emit almost 64% of total ammonia emissions, contributing significantly to acid rain and to acidification of ecosystems. Livestock are also a highly significant source of methane emissions, contributing 35–40% of methane emissions worldwide. Methane has a 23-fold greater potential for global warming than carbon dioxide. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has shown that in the last 15 years methane emissions from pigs increased by 37% and emissions from cattle increased by 50%... The increasing demand for animal products and the lack of land has caused the livestock industry to become the main cause for clearing forests and turning them into pasture. According to the International Center for Forest Research (CIFOR), during the years 1990–2000, an area twice the size of Portugal was lost in favor of pasture. Another reason for forest clearing is production of food for animals... Production of animal food products is the greatest agricultural cause of water pollution...The pollution is caused by animal excreta, antibiotics and hormones, fertilizers and pesticides used in forage production, and rainfall runoff from pasture. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) declared that animal parts and poultry manure are major sources of water pollution." Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6518108/ "Cows, pigs and other farm livestock in Europe are producing more greenhouse gases every year than all of the bloc’s cars and vans put together, when the impact of their feed is taken into account, according to a new analysis by Greenpeace... In 2018, the latest year for which accurate data is available from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, livestock on EU farms (including the UK) were responsible for the equivalent of about 502m tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, mostly through the methane they release...But when the indirect greenhouse gas emissions are calculated, using established methods to estimate the deforestation and land use changes associated with growing animal feed, then the total annual emissions are equivalent to 704m tonnes of carbon dioxide. The calculations are set out in a new Greenpeace report entitled Farming for Failure..." Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/sep/22/eu-farm-animals-produce-more-emissions-than-cars-and-vans-combined-greenpeace/ "Air pollution from food production in the United States is linked to an estimated 15,900 premature deaths each year, according to a new study published Monday in the Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. Of those, an estimated 12,700 deaths – around 80% – are connected to production of animal-based foods. Scientists have known for years that farming contributes to harmful air pollution, but experts say this study offers the first full accounting of deaths connected to the production of certain types of food." Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2021/05/10/us/air-pollution-deaths-farming-agriculture/index.html "The Bureau can also reveal that farms linked to serious pollution incidents or poor environmental management identified during Environment Agency inspections received millions of pounds in government subsidies in 2015 and 2016. In some cases offenders received substantial payments - in one instance more than £1m - over the two year period. Some were prosecuted for pollution offences. One of the biggest subsidies - more than £500,000 - went to Plumpton College, an agricultural college teaching best practices to the next generation of farmers. The College’s working dairy farm has been linked to five pollution incidents since 2011, and the Environment Agency is investigating two more. In one incident in November last year 20 tons of slurry - manure mixed with water - poured into a tributary of the river Ouse, home to famously large sea trout and other protected fish like brook lampreys and bullheads. It flowed down the rivulet, covering its surface with an off-white foam. At least 1,200 fish died... Unpublished figures obtained by the Bureau show there were 424 serious pollution incidents linked to dairy, poultry and pig farms between 2010 and 2016, part of a wider pattern of farm-related pollution that saw more than 3,700 incidents over the same period. A serious incident is one "likely to have a major or significant impact on the environment". Source: https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2017-08-21/farming-pollution-fish-uk/ "While people around the world are planting trees to help the planet, meat companies are destroying ancient forests to make room for cattle ranching and soy production. Soy is often associated with vegans and vegetarians, but 77 percent of the crop is actually fed to farmed animals—primarily chickens and pigs. Beef production alone is to blame for 41 percent of global deforestation, equal to more than two million hectares of land per year, and 72 percent of deforestation in Brazil. The flesh of cattle who were raised on deforested land ends up on supermarket shelves around the world. Of almost 80,000 tonnes of beef that the U.S. imports from Brazil each year, 55 percent has been linked to the severely deforested Cerrado savanna. Not only does deforestation cause ecological devastation, but it is also a human rights issue due to land-grabbing... The farming of ruminants such as cows and sheep, who naturally produce methane when they digest food, makes animal agriculture the biggest source of CH4 (methane) emissions in the U.S. Methane does not live as long in the earth’s atmosphere as carbon dioxide, but it has 86 times more warming potential in the short term. An average of 15,415 liters of water goes into producing just one kilogram of beef. Pulses, by comparison, use 4,055 liters per kilogram and it only takes an average of 322 liters of water to produce a kilogram of vegetables...Of all the freshwater used by humans, 92 percent goes into farming. Almost one-third of this is used for animal agriculture, the vast majority (98 percent) of which is used for growing crops to feed farmed animals...Global meat and dairy production uses an estimated 40 million square kilometers of land, or approximately 38.5 percent of the world’s habitable surface area. For every kilogram of edible beef, a cow eats 25 kilograms of food. Other animals convert plants to meat more efficiently, but it still takes 6.4 kilograms of food to produce just one kilogram of pork and 3.3 kilograms of food to produce just one kilogram of poultry meat. As a result, animal agriculture uses 83 percent of global farmland but only produces 18 percent of the world’s calories. Switching to a plant-based food system would require growing fewer crops and would therefore free up land that could be used to grow other food crops, to sequester carbon, or to foster biodiversity... Scientists have warned that factory farms will create future pandemics that could be even more dangerous to human health than COVID-19...Factory farms around the world are currently home to eight different strains of bird flu, also known as avian influenza, all of which can be deadly to humans. Animal agriculture is also a major contributor to climate change, which according to the World Health Organization is “the single biggest health threat facing humanity.” Source: https://www.newrootsinstitute.org/articles/animal-agriculture-environment "It is important to acknowledge the environmental harm the production of animal products causes—including high levels of greenhouse gas emissions, mass deforestation, extreme water use, and water pollution—in order to make sustainable choices that that are less damaging to our environment... In Europe, food alone is responsible for 30% of total greenhouse gas emissions, with meat production making up most of that percentage (Petrovic, 2015). Buying locally produced animal products remains an unsustainable alternative. Head researcher from Our World in Data, Dr. Hannah Ritchie, along with its founder, Dr. Max Roser, find that the transportation of animal products once packaged, no matter how far, amounts to “only a small fraction” of emissions (Ritchie & Roser, 2021). They found that '…most of our food emissions come from processes on the farm, or from land use change' (Ritchie & Roser, 2021, n.p.)... Meat production is the single greatest cause of deforestation globally, with about half of the world’s habitable land used for this purpose (Brown, 2022; Ritchie & Roser, 2021). In 2017, the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) announced that livestock production uses 70% of all agricultural land; in the last two years, that number grew to 77% (Ritchie & Roser 2021; FAO, 2020; FAO, 2017)... Growing crops for livestock feed requires significantly more water than growing fruits, vegetables and beans for direct human consumption (FoodPrint, 2022; University of British Columbia, 2016). As a result, producing a single pound of beef takes about 1,800 gallons (8,183 litres) of water... (A Greener World, 2022; FoodPrint, 2022; Madel, 2022; Delynko, 2019). While requiring less water, pork (720 gallons/pound), goat meat (660 gallons/pound), and chicken (520 gallons/pound) remain unsustainable alternatives (A Greener World, 2022). On the other hand, a serving of black beans requires only 49 gallons of water (Madel, 2022)... When water is not being used for meat, dairy and egg production, it is being infected with toxins and waste from the industry. The mass number of crops to feed livestock are treated with extreme amounts of fertilizers and pesticides (including herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and bactericides), the excess of which runs off into surrounding waterways (Brown, 2022; Clean Water Action, 2022; FAO, 2017)." Source: https://iapwa.org/the-environmental-cost-of-animal-agriculture/ "Livestock farms in England polluted rivers 300 times last year, causing 20 major incidents, according to the latest government figures. Yet only six farms were prosecuted in 2021, with the Environment Agency giving out warning letters instead. The dairy industry - mostly thanks to the waste its millions of cows produce - is the worst environmental offender, linked to half of all farm pollution... Much of the environmental threat to rivers from farming comes from cow waste called slurry - a mix of manure and water that farmers store and spread as fertiliser. Each of the UK's 2.6m dairy cows produces up to 53 litres of manure a day. That's approximately 50 billion litres of manure a year - enough to fill Wembley stadium more than 12 times." Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-63961659 "Ammonia emissions released from fertilisers and animal waste is the biggest driver of fine particulate matter pollution, particles smaller than 2.5 micrometres in size. Though ammonia itself is a short-lived gas, when it combines with other pollutants such as nitrogen oxides or sulphur dioxide, it can create fine particulate matter and last for days and travel great distances. This kind of fine particulate pollution can have serious health effects, with estimates saying it may contribute to between 29,000 and 99,000 additional premature deaths each year in the UK." Source: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2023/mar/farms-found-be-biggest-particulate-pollution-source-cities "A study by Public Health England and the Met Office estimated that more than 1,600 people in the UK died early due to particle pollution in March and April 2014. The worst 10 days had an estimated 600 extra deaths and more than 1,500 extra hospital admissions. Many of these could have been avoided. Key evidence for the new UK study comes from satellite data. Each morning and lunchtime, satellites pass over the UK and measure the ammonia beneath them. UK government estimates are about two-thirds to half those from the satellites. Areas with the greatest ammonia emissions include Northern Ireland and Norfolk. Dr Eloise Marais from UCL said: 'Using two independent satellite instruments and a detailed model we found that ammonia from farming, in particular dairy cattle, is underestimated in the official inventories that inform policies and assess compliance with international emissions targets.' Agricultural ammonia emissions have not reduced for more than a decade. Solving our urban air pollution problems will therefore require innovation in the countryside as much as solutions in our cities. Farms are coming under increasing scrutiny due to their role in river pollution and in the production of gases such as methane that contribute to our climate emergency." Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/24/uk-farming-causes-over-quarter-cities-particle-pollution-study "Meat scores significantly higher than most plant-based products, with beef, pork and chicken using nine, four and three times more water respectively than cereals. While milk looks like it has a relatively low water footprint, when you compare it to the water demand of plant-based alternatives, it is significantly higher, using as much as two to 20 times as much freshwater, depending on the plant milk... Only a fraction of the water used for farmed animals is drinking water. A study by Mekonnen and Hoekstra (2010) found that the vast majority, around 98 per cent, of this water is used to grow animal feed crops... Farmed animals produce seven to nine times more sewage than humans, and most of it is left untreated. The excess nutrients from this animal waste, alongside the fertiliser used on crops to feed them, then runs off into waterways resulting in eutrophication (the excess accumulation of nutrients in water) – leading to dead zones, where little to no aquatic life can live... Animal agriculture, a leading cause of the climate crisis, contributes to a fifth of all global greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, if we want to reduce or avoid the impending water shortages, we must address the key drivers – meat, dairy, fish and egg consumption. The world’s finite water resources are already being pushed to their limit, and this will only worsen as the population grows and the impacts of the climate crisis intensify. However, we already have a key solution." Source: https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/devastating-water-footprint-animal-agriculture/163485/ "Rivers in at least seven counties across the UK are at risk of becoming dead zones depleted of wildlife if the government does not ban new factory chicken farms, according to a new Soil Association (SA) report shared with ITV News. The charity issued the warning in the wake of its analysis, which showed the chicken meat sector in England and Wales has been rising by one million birds per month for the last decade. Ten rivers across the UK have been identified by the SA as currently being at risk, if the number of intensive poultry units continues to rise... So-called dead zones are created in rivers when chicken manure is washed into waterways, raising the level of phosphate. If this level becomes too high, then it creates algal blooms, which suffocate plant life and starve wildlife that depend on it." Source: https://www.itv.com/news/2024-03-11/british-rivers-at-risk-of-becoming-dead-zones-due-to-chicken-pollution |
