The Pros And Cons Of Going Vegan

Whether you’re taking a stand against animal cruelty or it’s more about a lifestyle change, making the decision to go vegan can be a minefield.

- Layla Haidrani

Granted veganism is the health buzzword of the moment—counting Beyoncé, Jay Z, and Ariana Grande among the movement’s legions of practioners; a vegan diet can even reduce an individual’s risk of developing cancer by 15 percent, according to a study published by Critical Reviews In Food Science And Nutrition in 2017. But is cutting meat, dairy, eggs and honey all that it’s cracked up to be? Okay, so you’re kissing your favourite fromage goodbye (sob), but given that veganism is linked to clearer skin, higher energy levels and improved mood, surely eating a plant-based diet automatically means you’re healthy, right? “A vegan diet is not necessarily bad, but if you are new to the concept and have never tried it before, you must be careful,’’ says Zenia Menon, nutritionist and dietitian at Dubai Herbal & Treatment Centre.

To separate fact from fiction, and to help you decide whether going vegan is right for you, we spoke to some experts to debunk myths, weigh up the pros and cons of this diet, and find out whether it’s worth it. You can thank us later...

THE PROS...

PREVENTS GUT IMBALANCE

Riham Shamseddine, licensed dietitian and Centre Manager at the Right Bite Nutrition Centre in Dubai, says a vegan diet can prevent dysbiosis, which is the imbalance of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract function and the increase of harmful gut bacteria. The GI tract is stressed and affected by:

Refined foods and sugar.

Excess fatty foods (mainly animal products, which are high in saturated fats).