Is a vegan diet better for your health? - BBC World Service, CrowdScience podcast 

Years ago before people were talking so much about being vegan or vegetarian I was on the plane to New Jersey and the older lady next to me happened to mention that her son went to I believe it was Africa to do missionary work. He was at such a remote location that he had to eat what they ate, which was completely plant-based after being there for quite a few years, he came home to visit. She said all his friends had an American food party for him with things like pizza and red meat, she said it almost killed him and he ended up in the hospital for a while. also one of my own experiences was that for one month I tried going strict, vegan not eating what the vegan doctors call vegan junk food like fake meat or desserts, but being pretty strict. Eating greens and lentils etc. I did this because my doctor wanted my cholesterol reduced , well. ..After one month my cholesterol went down 79 points, so that tells you something also from being close to vegan for some months, I lost 100 pounds. Just saying….

I have been listening BBC for more than 20 years on short wave radio ; crowdScience and Jolly good show of John Trevis were among my favourites Now , it is a pleasure to have you on the web ; perhaps some image/ video of you all will put things rights . A lot of thanks.

I appreciate this podcast. It's pleasure to hear such an interesting topics. Greetings from Poland!

I like how he summarizes the points after listening to the experts

Loved this podcast so crisp and clear 👌

The comment on B12 is a bit misleading. Before being slaughtered, animals are fed with B12 supplements. That is where it comes from. The thing is that B12 from animal sources is easier absorbed by humans than other versions of the vitamin.

Thanks for this. I always enjoy your lighthearted presentation.

I really love these contents about foodstuff and the science behind them. Thank you for the programme!

Thanks for sharing this great and useful information with us. I really enjoy this kind of content, as a podcast I love it when you guys go to other places as restaurants and talk with the people. It drives me to imagine the contexts, which is fantastic! I would be very happy if you spoke a bit slower (as Sam in this episode) since most of us are not native English speakers. Thank you :)

Thank you for your podcasts! So fun, entertaining and educational

Very helpful for my oet exam

great podcast! you guys are so candid and I love it. bursted into laugh when Anand confessed he almost forgot his should be on vegan diet, that's so real. hh

Great show! Informative

This was interesting and enjoyable to listen! Greetings from Azerbaijan

i really like listening to this podcast while studing

Very useful infomation. Thank you!

Loved this show, thank you! Learned a lot. 🎉

where can i find the video full version ?

What a wonderfully thoughtful show 🤗 Thank you 🙏

Thank you so much BBC world service.

I am a listener from China, I like the name"crowd science" you guys are doing a great job. Keep going and good luck.

Thank you so much, very informative! Subscribed. 5⭐️❤️

Thank you 🙏 really informative.

Thank you for sharing!

BBC World Service, You're amazing! I hit the like button as soon as I saw it!

Outstanding poadcast ❤

My wondering is about what chemicals are added to preserve meats for traveling after the processing animals to other cities, states, countries or continents.

💚 I have followed a vegetarian lifestyle for nearly 20 years out of compassion for animals and the environment. From a health perspective, I believe that my decision has contributed to improved well-being compared to my previous habits, even though I didn't consume much meat to begin with. I have noticed fewer health issues compared to before, and I find that I am less susceptible to feeling cold.

Hello, I'm from South Korea. Where I live, we don't have any concept of being vegan actually. Most Koreans are crazy about meat 😅. But I've started thinking of trying different in my diet since listening this program. I've never been quite liking meat at all.., but just cultral habitual diet. Anyway thanks for this show and thumbs up !!!

I am trying to eat more mindfully but feeling very tired. I will explore the supplements mentioned to see if they help. Very useful well presented information. I am much better informed.

I would like yo cut off meet products a little. Very useful

Five and a half years ago, I decided to give up meat, because I actually like animals, I had pet pig, pet sheep, pet dog and I have two cats. So I need to feed my cats meat. During these five years, I still drunk milk and ate eggs, but two weeks ago, I decided to give up milk and egg, I feel so well by now. I am so happy to make this decision!

I will become flexitarian after this episode! I really enjoy it. Thanks

My sister was vegetarian bordering on vegan for about 10 years. Due to her diet being so carb heavy, she had slowly been gaining weight at about 1kg a year and due to a bad back went to see a nutritionist to see if he could help her figure out if she needed to change anything. He pinpointed from her bloodwork that she was veggie. He explained that he'd seen a trend with difficulty with sustained energy, higher brain function in long term vegetarians and that as she hit 40 she would gain weight even faster as her metabolism slowed. He suggested she re-introducing meat which after much debate, she did. She has seen major improvements in her ability to concentrate, no longer feels the need for a snack in the afternoon to get through the energy slump. Her back has also been less problematic and she's lost the weight she'd put on as a result of her more moderate carb intake. Historically we come from ancestors who ate a lot of meat so that might play into why this worked for her. Also to note she has a generally healthy lifestyle with exercise and wholefoods. I've also tried veggie multiple times and vegan once but have always gone back to meat. I was absolutely starving constantly when doing vegan so that lasted 2-3 months and I was underweight by the end of it. I could not eat enough to feel satiated, despite all the legumes, pulses, carbs, nuts and soy I could get in me. Since then I've been a flexitarian, so try to eat mostly plant based with some meat which will go up and down depending on the moment. This has worked best for me. I suspect that a vegan diet can be super helpful if done well as a kind of detox from eating too much meat and processed foods (as long as you're not eating lots of processed vegan foods) for a couple of years and I think people can see major reversals in health conditions, but I still have questions around the long term viability of eating that way and I've seen a lot of vegan youtubers stop being vegan due to serious health concerns. This video didn't really help answer my questions about the viability of the vegan diet but thought I'd share my experience as it might be helpful .

It seems to me that a meditteranaen diet, with fish and white meats, lots of vegetables is the way to go

Started no meat over four years ago, was told needed vein surgery both legs.. and have learned how helps environment also,,,, amazing... also believe it has improved , somehow save mental conscious ability to understand and communicate

0:15: 🌱 The debate on whether being vegan is healthier or not is discussed at a vegan festival in London. 3:17: 🌱 The speaker's mom used to hide meat in their food because she was worried about their protein intake, but now the speaker just picks out the vegetables when they go to their mom's for dinner. 6:57: 🌱 When being vegan, it's important to ensure you get a full range of protein, enough iron, and sufficient calcium. 10:44: 🌱 The speakers discuss their desire to go on a vegan diet and the availability of vegan products in London. 14:20: 🌱 Vegans have a lower risk of certain diseases, but may have a higher risk of fractures. 19:11: 🔥 Caroline sets fire to the packaging while cooking bacon worms. 22:22: 🥩 Meat alternatives have overall better effects than meat, considering factors like sodium, cholesterol, and fat. Meat consumption varies across countries, with high-income countries benefiting from eating less meat and low-income countries potentially benefiting from eating more. 26:00: 🥩 Eating meat alternatives may have benefits for heart health, but more research is needed. Decreased white blood cell count may indicate a higher risk of infection. 29:39: 🌱 The speakers are considering adopting a flexitarian diet, primarily for environmental reasons. Recap by Tammy AI

Good info, thanks. If shows people will be more easy than Watch the circles.

I've not eaten meat for about 40 years because I did not enjoy the taste or texture of meat. 20 years ago I was affected by viral cardiomyopathy and they gave me 48 hours to live. Thankfully, they were wrong. Several doctors and nutitionists over the next few years made the same comment. Had I been a meat eater, then I probably would not have survived. Some added that my diet was so good, it was unfair that I'd caught the virus in the first place, which I thought took it a little too far. During the pandemic I went off butter, eggs and fish, so decided to give them up. I wondered how this change might affect me. Well, I found out earlier this year. I was hospitalised for a cat bite - sounds minor but I had a total of 12 days in hospital and 5 operations! Obviously, when you're in hospital you have regular checks. One of the anæsthiatists looked at my records pre-op and commented that I was very healthy. I commented that he meant "for my age", and he said that I was healthy for any age. Over my period of recovery, because both hands were affected, my diet was appalling. I couldn't cook, couldn't use a knife and fork, so I was eating a lot of junk, because it was convenient. My health was seriously affected. Obviously, I was not eating meat, but my previously excellent diet was now bad. My GP insisted on his own blood tests to monitor signs of my infections. I'd become pre-diabetic, my liver function was affected, blood pressure elevated, and I developed arrhythmia. A few weeks later when I returned to my normal, admittedly not vegan, diet, all of these problems faded away. Would I be healthier as a vegan? Personally I dont think so. I still have milk and cheese, and if something contains eggs, I will eat it. This means that I do not have to be thinking all the time about ensuring that I'm getting the right nutrients. I do have vegan days, but often I only realise afterwards. They are not planned. My largely plant based diet is good for me. It has kept me healthy. However, there is more to food than nutrition. How much pleasure we get from food is also important. My best friend loves meat, but is careful how much he eats. To take away the meat would also take away a lot of his pleasure. I think that any diet can be healthy, so long as the person is careful. Eat meat if you want, but don't eat too much, and dont expect me to join you.

I was vegan for 16 years and it nearly destroyed my body and my mental health. I stopped being vegan 2 years ago and I no longer suffer from depression, violent rage fits, I've built my muscle back and I'm generally and fitter, more menatlly stable and nicer person as a result of dropping veganism.

Nice work!

The video really can make me learn English well.

Peace for all of humanity begins on our dinner plate

Love this content🎉

Good discourse

Love this show

Interesting content

I was very excited to find this episode! Thank you for bringing up the topic. Yet am I surprised how you kept focus on the idea that giving up animal based food is difficult. To me that sounds like a talk of a privileged and addicted folks. Regretfully, you mildly touched the topic of animal cruelty and the harm to the environment by overproduction (for profits and revenues, not human health reasons). We need more people to move towards the plant based diet. However, in this episode I’d hear many excuses not to make change. As a family we became vegan 5 years ago when we were 53,48, 20 and 21 for environmental reasons. I wish we knew more about it earlier. I witnessed my boys becoming lean, strong, with healthy smooth skin. The same changes applies to my husband and myself. Start cooking your own meals and you will thrive as a good (vegan) person!

02:23 "I call myself Plant Based, it gives me wiggle room when I mess up and eat cheese" I've never felt so seen! 😅

Interesting content!

Since when vaccines and antibiotics are a kind of food supplements? We don't take antibiotics everyday like food. I don't really understand the mindset of some vegan people...maybe it is their lack of vitamin B12.

well, you know, we need some subtitles, I mean an online paper of transcript

Iodine is in apple seeds, and if you eat one apple a day, with the seeds you have enough proteins. And B12 is naturally on nature, but we use pesticides so we need to wash the fruits and vegetables. But if you have your own garden you can eat apples from a tree and berries and you will get enough B12.

Thanks, it was interesting

That’s so interesting! Thanks for the wonderful video! I would like to eat more plant-based food after listening to this just to be more environmental friendly! 🎉

As you may know, vitamin B12 (cobalamin), a nutrient that vegans often lack, is crucial for nerve tissue, brain function, and red blood cells. If the ingredients in a vitamin B12 supplement come from animals, it cannot be considered a vegan diet. The dried seaweeds "Aosa(Sea lettuce)'' and "Aonori(Green Seaweed)" that Japanese people often eat are rich in vitamin B12. Both are completely different from the black grilled seaweed used in Sushi that's J classic delicacy. Approximately 90% of J people have intestinal bacteria with genes that can digest raw seaweed, whereas non-J's have very few bacteria. This intestinal function is thought to evolve by ingesting marine bacteria on J long history of liking seafood. I'm no expert and don't know if a non-J's intestines can digest these dried seaweeds. In general, Intestinal flora transplantation is still not a mainstream treatment for changing or strengthening intestinal function. However, tasting these seaweeds is worth a try. These processed foods are easy to handle, contain vitamins B1, B2, C, Iron and other important nutrients, and I think they go well with a variety of dishes. Excuse my poor language.

In my opinion, no, there’s a plus an a minus to every diet and also genetics can come into play aswell. Whatever floats your boat and makes YOU feel good and healthy. ✌️

And if you like the programme above, you might be interested in this from our friends at BBC Future - how could a vegan diet impact your intelligence? www.bbc.com/future/article/20200127-how-a-vegan-diet-could-affect-your-intelligence

I loved the podcast

Does a drop in the amount of white blood cells really cause a higher risk of infection (as suggested by the speaker somewhere around 27:00), or does it indicate a lower exposure to something like inflammation-causing proteins? I mean, some country might sustain only a small army because they lack the money to fund a huge one, or because they are located in a save area. Similarly, some other country may have a huge army because they don't know what to do with all the surplus money they have, or because they are at war or fear some neighbour to invade at any time.

You can get plenty of iodine from eating seaweed, like Nori. When you eat sushi, you are usually eating Nori. BTW sushi does not have to include fish.

Hong Kong has the longest life expectancy in the world, and also the highest meat consumption per capita in the world.

Thanks

What about Mediterranean Diet comparing to vegan diet?

I think some people benefit (health wise) by going pure vegan because it means changing your taste preferences. After a few years on a pure vegan diet, I do not miss things like cheese, which I did at first. Cheese actually contains and addictive component called casomorphins. To kick the habit, I switched to only Cheetos and ate less and less of them over time. Vegan meat alternatives are also helpful to transition, but now I only eat them as an occasional treat. Actually I do eat Tofurky smoked slices for sandwiches every few weeks. Mostly I now eat whole plant foods, but I do include tofu and tempeh. BTW there are some tasty cheese alternatives, like the Miyoko brand.

It's healthy for the poor animals that don't want to die or get raped.

The trouble with most meat 'alternatives' is they are processed and may contain unhealthy ingredients. As for B12; the only reason it's in meat is because it is added to the animals' feed. They would get it naturally if they were grazing in the fields, but cattle are not raised that way. B12 comes from the soil and is washed and processed out of our food and the food the animals get. Regarding bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle which is a prion disease that leads to Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease in humans. BSE symptoms show up in cattle at about 3 years of age. Most cattle are eaten before they reach the age of 2 years - just a thought.

Nice. But would've been better if the host actually did what he was supposed to do and followed the diet properly.

People don't go "vegan" for health reasons. They may go plantbased for health but veganism is an ethical philosophy against animal exploitation. People should learn more about the industries that abuse animals before labeling themselves as "vegan" or "mostly vegan". Especially on a platform like the BBC. Its a bit cringey to hear people talking about veganism like its a fad or a healthy diet choice. If you want to talk about it from a health perspective use the word plant-based. Eg. He said "Actually, for environmental reasons, I have thought about becoming a bit more vegan". Which makes it seem like veganism is a switch you turn on and off at your convenience. Just use the word flexitarian or plantbased if you mostly don't consume animal products. And also veganism is about animal rights /liberation not welfare. I'm not trying to be pedantic, it's just that it's important so that people understand veganism is a firm ethical principle and not a wishy washy flexitarian environmentalist movement where the main focus is on diet and human health.

Sure it is! And look at what is happening at this moment in our 🌍 🌈💚✨🙏🏻👍🏻💚

Vegan for 7 years, best decision ever for my health, the animals and the planet

A pity some of the comments made by those interviewed are erroneous such as possible protein deficiency, food combining to get adequate ‘complete’ proteins etc. There can also be a huge difference between the health effects of a whole foods plant based diet and a vegan one. After all, a vegan diet can consist primarily of vegan junk foods, of which there are increasingly large amounts and variety. How about comparing 3 diets: standard western, vegan junk, and whole food plant based? That would be interesting!

Vegan diet for 2-3 days a week will certainly improve health for most people. That does not necessarily mean vegan diet promotes health when it replaced every meal for a long term.

Every vegan and vegetarian should take at least every second day early in the morning on an empty stomach 1 tablespoon (15 ml) castor oil in order to prevent an intestinal blockage, for in the case that you will eat a lot of fruits or vegetables your large intestine will be really filled and you will remark this one occasionally unpleasant, this especially during the night. In this case it will be very helpfull to take your dosage castor oil in good time.

I'm listening to this cause I know very well that in english listening test examiners choose Britain English beacuse is way difficult to understand due to its accent specially for english learners.

I don't expect people to stick to the diet if they can't wait till it ends. Health is just not a good enough justification. Ethics make one stick to the lifestyle better so I can't say I'm surprised by the outcome.

Very interesting podcasts, but lacking to comment on the diabetes epidemic and relationship to plant-based diets.. also, epidemiological studies should be classed as garbage and should only suggest where further studies should be undertaken

Good for English. Learning

Tkx bbc for everything love u love u

Vegetarians don’t seem to get MS.

With the amount of severe stress im better on a veggie diet❤❤🎉🎉

3:05

what else have they given up? if they also do not smoke, that may be the determining factor ...

vaccines and antibiotics are not required in routine, this is not an argument for switching to supplements, most of which you should take daily

VEGANISM is ONLY about ETHICS and NOT about health or environmental reasons. I am ethically vegan, but the health and environmental reasons are only supplementary not primary. I am not just plant based but ethically vegan. So many interviewers get their facts wrong. A plant based diet is only healthy if it is a wholefood plant based diet, eradicating the unhealthy aspects of being plant based.

to eat seaweed can provide you sufficient ionide.

Why did Susan point out cholesterol in meat alternatives? A vegan diet contains zero dietary cholesterol. Did she mean saturated fat?

YES IT IS.

In my opinion, there are some key benefits to be vegetarian. The first and foremost plausible reason is that the people who don't eat meat seem to be more younger compared to non vegetarian though they have same age. I am not pretty much sure about it, But personally i am experiencing after eating mean/ fish i always feel quite lazy😊.

NIce one with different accents

Stop paying for animals to die please and thank you.

With all of the commercial vegan products appearing on the market, being vegan does NOT mean that vegan diet is automatically healthy. For example, French fries (chips) which are cooked in palm oil are vegan but they are still pretty unhealthy. I don't advocate anyone to become vegan but I would recommend people eat a diet higher in vegetables (but not grain) than meat or dairy. I'm on the fence about eggs, but not because of their cholesterol: the myth of them having an affect on cholesterol levels was debunked decades ago.

So the producer is not vegan then...

Meat increases inflammation . When inflammation increases in the body it is reflected in a higher white blood cell count, so naturally, it would make sense that those switching to a vegan plant-based diet would decrease inflammation, and therefore decrease in a white blood cell count. This reflection is indicative of a healthier person, and not a less healthier person

I’m a carnivore there is zero chance of me not eating meat.

Yes. I feel much better since going vegan.

Notes: • A vegan diet makes it difficult to get enough of a full range of proteins, iron, and calcium, but it is still possible with enough care. • Vitamin B12 and iodine are also rare in vegan foods, so you need supplements for those. • Get the help of a dietician for the above. • Due to the aforementioned deficiencies, a vegan diet does not equate directly to healthiness, but if done correctly, it can potentially increase energy levels. • Epidemiology of vegans is not well-studied; it is also difficult to adjust for wealth level. • Vegans have lower BMI on average, and to a lesser degree, cholesterol and blood pressure. • Vegans _may_ have a slightly lower risk of prostate cancer. • Vegans have a higher risk of bone fractures. (Calcium deficiency?) • There is no significant difference in lifespan. • Vegan meat recreations may be made of soy protein. • Vegan milk replacements are Just Not There yet.

My god stop i will eat what the hell i want .

Veganism is the future 🌱🌏

This is almost like Jessica A's diet or lifestyle, which keep her slender