REPORT: Vegan diets have no ‘ubiquitous deficiency’ in vitamins and minerals
The most common factor driving vegans to dump meat was ethical decision based on animal suffering as conveyed by social media, farming exposes, and documentaries.
SHANE STARLING: In an analysis of vegan diets that included observational data it began collecting in 2017, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) found no widespread deficiencies in calcium, zinc, selenium or iron among those pursuing plant-based diets in a sample of about 60 Berlin residents.
While “vegan test subjects had lower values than the mixed-food group for the minerals zinc, selenium and calcium” the deficit was not considered to be substantial, similarly for iron… Vegans also had lower LDL cholesterol levels as well as higher levels of Vitamins C, K and E and fibre. Meat eaters typically had higher levels of riboflavin (B2), nicotinamide, niacin, and nicotinamide riboside (B3), vitamin D and zinc…
“Compared to a mixed-food diet, people who follow a purely plant-based diet do not have an ubiquitous deficiency when it comes to important vitamins and minerals,” the BfR wrote, with the exception of B12 and iodine, the latter being a ‘problem child’ for both vegans and even meat eaters… The survey found almost all the vegans and a third of the meat eaters incorporated folate food supplements into their diets. Vegans often had higher folate levels than meat eaters due to supplementation…
“As long as those following a vegan diet keep this supplement in mind, vitamin B12 supply is guaranteed,” said report co-author Iris Trefflich… The report’s other co-author, Dr Cornelia Weikert, said… “Following a vegan diet can yield health benefits. But ultimately, as with a mixed-food diet, it depends on the choice of foods consumed and a balanced supply of macronutrients as well as vitamins and trace elements”…
The report also analysed dietary choice motivations and how veganism is perceived in the public realm, including media and social media platforms. Respondents cited livestock farming exposés and documentaries as the most common factor driving them to dump meat from their diets. “These reports are shocking. The ethical decision is not based on direct, personal experience, but rather on animal suffering conveyed by the media,” the report stated.
Vegans typically formed positive associations with their dietary mode – for themselves and more broadly. Vegans typically perceived general wellness, performance, appearance and disease reduction benefits of veganism, as well as improving animal welfare and the environment… BfR scrutinised 1000 entries on social media, blogs and forums and found veganism represented extremely positively. 92% of references were positive with Twitter the most critical (42% positive; 30% negative). SOURCE…
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