A Scholarly Look At Veganism

Periodically I come in contact with fellow science-based thinkers proselytizing for Veganism.  I have posted on the subject in the past.  This post will present recent literature from scholarly sources. As you may have deduced from my other posts, I haven't committed myself to veganism for a variety of reasons and, since there is much disagreement by thinking people on the subject, I just support a diet primarily based on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and moderate quantities of minimally processed meats (preferably grass-fed if applicable) produced humanely.

More Than Just A Diet: An Inquiry Into Veganism

Vegetarian, vegan diets and multiple health outcomes: A systematic review with meta-analysis of observational studies

Environmental impact of omnivorous, ovo-lacto-vegetarian, and vegan diet

The long-term health of vegetarians and vegans

Why Vegan Diets Suck

The Impacts of Dietary Change on Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Land Use, Water Use, and Health: A Systematic Review

16 Studies on Vegan Diets — Do They Really Work?

Going Vegan isn't the Most Sustainable Option for Humanity

Sorry, But Giving Up on Meat Is Not Going to Save The Planet

A Look At Veganism

In recent years, there has been more publicity regarding the value of veganism. On the surface, it looks like a more healthy and ethical way of eating. What does science have to say?

You may be surprised, but an omnivorous diet is clearly healthier, especially if minimally processed meats are consumed (1), (2).  In fact, a meatless diet may even effect the human genome negatively (3).

Even in the US, 1/6 of people are "food insecure" (4).  It is not realistic to expect a vegan diet to meet all of the nutrition needs of these, or other poor and malnourished people in the world.

While factory farming has its horrors, many organizations are working to improve conditions to make them more humane (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10). The environment and animals are also negatively effected by growing fruits and vegetables (5).

"Free Range" is talked about as an improvement in humane treatment, but it also has its problems (11), (12).

I end with two links arguing for meat eating being ethical (13), (14).

Your call on the value of the above information. I am not preaching in favor of vegan vs omnivor. This is just an attempt to provide some evidence addressing this controversial topic.

(MyCity-Web)

The Myths Of A Vegan Diet

"Not one respected study has ever shown a long-term vegan diet to be healthier than any other, and most research uncovers troubling deficiencies. They claim meat-free diets are healthier, but healthier than what? Than the typical unhealthy American diet."

Research shows that a mainly plant-based diet is healthy, but the findings can’t be used to justify a plants-only diet.