What is Veganism

Veganism is the practice of abstaining from the use of animal products, particularly in diet, and an associated philosophy that rejects the commodity status of animals. An individual who follows the diet of this philosophy is known as a vegan.

Distinctions may be made between several categories of veganism. Dietary vegans also known as strict vegetarians, refrain from consuming meat, eggs, dairy products, and other animal derived substances.

An ethical vegan is not only some one who follows a plant-based diet but extends the philosophy into other areas of their lives, opposing the use of animals for any purpose and tries to avoid any cruelty and exploitation of all animals including humans.

Veganuary

Veganuary is a non-profit organisation that encourages people worldwide to try adopting a vegan diet for January and beyond.

Throughout the year, Veganuary encourages and supports people and businesses alike to move to a plant-based diet as a way of protecting the environment, preventing animal suffering and improving the health of millions of people.

Health benefits of a vegan diet

A plant based diet is rich in nutrients, you can get all the nutrients you need from a healthy, balanced vegan diet rich in wholefoods including fruits, vegetables, pulses, grains, nuts and seeds. Several studies have reported that people who eat a plant based diet tend to consume more fibre, antioxidants, potassium, magnesium, folate, and vitamins A, C, and E.

A boost in mood

Following a compassionate lifestyle that avoids harming animals will give you a clearer conscience and studies show that vegans may actually be happier than meat-eaters. In fact, vegans and vegetarians had better scores on depression tests and mood profiles than those who ate fish and meat.

Maintaining a healthy body weight

Vegan foods tend to be lower in calories than animal-derived ones, making it easier to achieve a healthy body weight without actively focusing on cutting calories. Most vegan foods contain significantly less saturated fat than animal 'products' do, and many studies have shown that vegans tend to have lower body mass indexes than non-vegans.

Reduction in risk of disease

A recent study suggests that a vegan diet can help reduce the risk of disease, as plant-based foods are packed with phytochemicals – including the powerful antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables.

Researchers found that vegans had higher concentrations of antioxidant carotenoids, a higher proportion of total omega-3 fatty acids and lower levels of saturated fatty acids than non-vegans, all of which are linked to positive health outcomes.

Type 2 Diabetes

Research has shown that people who follow a vegan diet tend to have lower blood sugar levels than non-vegans and may reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by up to 78%. Consuming plenty of healthy plant-based foods can also help mitigate the risk factors associated with developing diabetes, such as obesity.

Skin conditions

Who doesn’t want a glowing complexion? When it comes to skin issues, one of the worst culprits is dairy – multiple studies have shown that dairy consumption exacerbates acne in both men and women.

Aside from ditching dairy, vegans typically eat more fruit and vegetables, which means they get more of the good stuff that’s needed for healthy skin, such as antioxidants and vitamins.

Arthritis

Studies have shown that a diet high in healthy vegan foods can help reduce the symptoms of arthritis, since consuming animal-derived foods is linked to pain-causing inflammation. Eating probiotic plant-based foods such as fermented vegetables and non-dairy yogurts with live cultures can boost the good bacteria in the large intestine, also helping to boost nutrient absorption and reduce inflammation.

With so many delicious and healthy plant-based options available, going plant based is now easier than ever.

Try a plant based dish in our new Nu Sana restaurant, located above the Spa. Nu Sana offers a healthy, nutrition-led menu featuring nourishing dishes and more indulgent choices to give guests the option of ‘everything in moderation.

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