Veganism has been one of the fastest moving ‘trends’ over the last few years. The topic has been hotly debated online, well covered in the press, endorsed by countless celebrities and has seen a surge of new plant-based food lines, businesses, shops and restaurants. The amount of people turning vegan has quadrupled since 2012 with an estimated 3.5 million people opting for a plant-based diet in the UK. In 2018, the UK launched more vegan products than any nation!

Whilst for many cutting out animal produce altogether is a step too far, a large number of the UK population are looking to reduce the amount of meat in their diets for both ethical and health reasons.

35% of British consumers say they make a point of regularly having meat-free days e.g. Meat-Free Mondays, which has become a popular hashtag spouting numerous websites, social media pages, recipe website and even school dinner menus.

The distinguished medical journal, The Lancet has recently issued a report which states that “civilisation itself is at risk from the effects of our current food system”.

Putting aside the ethical reasons for now, the way the modern western world is eating is concerning for us due to the large number of people who are experiencing health problems, allergies, sickness and obesity. Diet-related diseases now cause roughly 11 million deaths a year in the form of preventable cancers, heart disease, strokes and diabetes. Consider the strain this puts on our NHS system?

Individuals can make a difference which will help their family’s health (and the planet) by modifying their diets. Britain’s love of take-away meals, snacks and sugar is actually more harmful than alcohol or tobacco, with diet now being the number one factor driving poor health.

The current incline and ‘fashion’ of veganism may help the UK population re-think their food choices. Whether it is a complete diet change, some part-time ‘veganing’ or just making the occasional choice to reduce the amount of animal products consumed each day this will all help our unhealthy eating habits.

5 health benefits of a Vegan Diet:

• Vegan diets tend to provide you with a lower calorie intake which can help with weight loss and lowering your BMI.
• Reduces blood sugar levels and improves kidney function which can help reduce the risk of developing type-2 diabetes.
• Increased portions of fresh fruits and vegetables per day may lower your risk of cancer and heart disease. Avoiding certain animal products may also help reduce the risk of prostate, breast and colon cancers.
• Studies have shown that probiotic-rich whole foods from a vegan diet can reduce pain from arthritis, improving energy levels as well as reducing pain and joint swelling.
• The introduction of more fibre, antioxidants and beneficial plant compounds richer in potassium, magnesium, folate and vitamins A, C and E which you may not have had as often in a non-vegan diet.

It is advisable to seek medical advice before making any drastic changes to your diet; particularly if you already suffer from medical problems. It is important to ensure that you are giving your body the nutrients it needs so if you suffer from deficiencies or allergies, it is best to see your GP in the first instance.

We are very fortunate in the UK to have the wonderful doctors and nurses that work for our NHS. However, the more overstretched the NHS becomes; the more things can be missed or go wrong. If we can look after ourselves and improve our diets, there is a good chance that we can help save resources that are needed to make sure that our health service works as it should.

If you or someone in your family has suffered as a result of poor medical treatment, our compassionate team can tell you if you have a claim to investigate. Our Clinical Negligence Team can be contacted on 01256 844888 or email enquiries@lambbrooks.com

The contents of this article are for the purposes of general awareness only. They do not purport to constitute legal or professional advice.  The law may have changed since this article was published.   Readers should not act on the basis of the information included and should take appropriate professional advice upon their own particular circumstances.