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

The number of vegans is on the rise across the world, with many people swearing by the health benefits of a plant-based lifestyle. But does a vegan diet really improve your health?

This episode of CrowdScience (broadcast on radio in September 2019) explores the evidence about whether vegans are likely to live longer. With new, highly processed meat alternatives becoming increasingly available in supermarkets and restaurants menus, what effect are they having on our health? Presenter Anand Jagatia talks to the experts and joins listener Samantha in following a vegan diet.

0:00 Introduction
1:55 Does eating plants help you live longer?
5:19 Meet the nutritionist
13:16 Meet the epidemiologist
17:02 Meat alternatives
26:45 West vs East - and veganism

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#Vegans #Plant-based #Veganism

[jackomile]

I help in a homeless shelter and have done this for many years; the one thing I have noticed is that we hardly ever come across Vegan or Vegetarian homeless.
The odd Veggy but never ever a Vegan.
Which makes me think that privileged people are the ones that can make a choice for their diet but the poor can't - they are just thankful for what they can get on a day to day basis.

Just putting this out there - be kind in your comments.

[karrg]

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

[kietpham]

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

[clementmariostlouis]

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.

[HappyComfort]

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….

[PLuMUK]

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.

[deepikagul]

Loved this podcast so crisp and clear 👌

[tvb]

I’ve only discovered crowd science recently and am totally hooked. Great for use at school and I love the balanced approach. Thanks a lot🙏

[Iraboven]

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!

[totoxclub]

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 :)

[nurishgarayeva]

This was interesting and enjoyable to listen! Greetings from Azerbaijan

[rosejones]

Thanks for this. I always enjoy your lighthearted presentation.

[kstcvwj]

i really like listening to this podcast while studing

[IOSALive]

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

[mugglefu]

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

[tesswall]

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

[FunLittleMovies]

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

[zhupual]

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

[amusebouchekimchi]

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

[dumabel]

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!