Check out our interactive page on the Benefits of Plant Powered Running
Plant-based diets are great for overall health as well as athletic performance, according to a new meta-analysis from the British Journal of Nutrition. 1
A systematic review found that plant-based diets may offer benefits for endurance and aerobic capacity, power, and strength compared to an omnivorous diet.2
Research that plant-based diets may also enhance recovery due to the anti-inflammatory properties of plant-based foods.3 .
htts://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37869973/
Presti N, Mansouri T, Maloney MK, Hostler D. Nutr Assoc. 2024:1-8. doi:10.1080/27697061.2024.2365755
Barnard ND, Goldman DM, Loomis JF, et al. Nutrients. 2019;11(1):130. doi:10.3390/nu11010130
A whole food plant-based diet, emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, offers numerous health benefits. This dietary pattern has been associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, and inflammatory conditions (O'Mullan, 2019). It may lower body mass index, blood pressure, HbA1C, and cholesterol levels, potentially decreasing the need for medications (Tuso et al., 2013). The diet is rich in dietary fibre and phytochemicals, which contribute to its health-promoting effects (Esquivel, 2022). Some evidence suggests benefits for certain cancers, particularly breast cancer, though more research is needed (O'Mullan, 2019). While this diet can be nutritionally adequate and health-promoting, careful planning is necessary to ensure sufficient intake of nutrients like calcium, iron, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin B12 (Esquivel, 2022). Overall, a well-planned plant-based diet is considered a low-cost, low-risk intervention that may support healthy aging and reduce the risk of chronic diseases (Valachovičová & Bírošová, 2020).
Increase in long term sickness
The standard British diet is resulting in considerable harm. The Food Farming and Countryside commission report found that unhealthy diets are resulting in a cost of £268 billion annually from healthcare, social and welfare care costs and productivity losses due to negative impacts on health. This cost is more than the annual budget of the NHS.
In this video clinicians discuss how a well planned vegan diets are beneficial for athletes of all abilities with its anti-inflammatory properties supporting recovery, lowering atherosclerosis and improving the endothelial function.
A video explaining how a vegan diet can improve this important measure of physical fitness, especially in older athletes.
Mic the Vegan reviews, in his usual entertaining style, a controlled trial comparing physical attributes 28 vegan female athletes against 28 omnivores. Vegan had 40% longer time to exhaustion.
This April 2024 study models the impact of dietary modification on LE. Specifically, it aimed to estimate the increase in LE resulting from the transition from typical national dietary patterns to longevity-optimising dietary changes, more feasible dietary modifications, or optimised vegan dietary changes, in China, France, Germany, Iran, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
This video explains how whole food plant diet is the only diet shown to be able to reverse heart disease in the majority of patients. It may contribute to improved performance and accelerated recovery, but most importantly, will allow you to recover and maintain your long-term health. Athletic performance suffers, when you’re dead.
Mic the Vegan runs through the development and reasoning culminating in these latest rational conclusions.
Flow-mediated dilation, a measure of endothelial function, was significantly reduced following high-fat meals compared to low-fat meals (Ng et al., 2001). Additionally, diets high in saturated fat led to greater impairment of endothelial function compared to diets rich in unsaturated fats or carbohydrates (Grieger et al., 2004). The mechanism behind this impairment may involve reduced capacity of the endothelium to release tissue-type plasminogen activator, a key component in fibrinolysis (Dow et al., 2014). These findings suggest that high saturated fat consumption could negatively impact cardiovascular health and potentially compromise athletic endurance performance due to endothelial dysfunction.
Contrary to popular myth food miles have little impact on your dietary footprint. It's what you eat that matters significantly more than where your food comes from.
The opportunity of the whole population moving to plant diets is massive - off the scale compared to many other lifestyle changes.
This is explained in the highly reputable data set at 'Our World in Data' from scientists as the University of Oxford.
Summary: Here are just of few of many reasons to consider participating in Veganuary if you run:--
Improved Recovery: Plant-based foods are rich in antioxidants, which help reduce inflammation and speed up recovery after intense workouts.
Enhanced Energy Levels: A balanced vegan diet, with its high carbohydrate content, provides sustained energy levels for endurance sports like running.
Weight Management: A whole-food, plant-based diet can be lower in calories and higher in fiber, aiding in weight management, an essential aspect for runners.
Environmental Impact: A vegan diet significantly reduces one's carbon footprint, making it an excellent choice for eco-conscious runners who care about preserving the environment they love to run in.
Ethical Considerations: Veganism aligns with values of compassion and sustainability, resonating with many runners' core beliefs.
Healthier Heart: Plant-based diets have been linked to lower risks of heart diseases due to their low saturated fat and cholesterol content, ensuring a healthier heart for runners.
Stronger Bones: Despite the myth that dairy is necessary for strong bones, calcium from plant sources is effectively absorbed by the body, promoting bone health, crucial for runners.
Better Digestion: A vegan diet's high fiber content aids in digestion, helping runners avoid discomfort during runs.
Muscle Building: Despite misconceptions, vegan diets can provide complete proteins necessary for muscle repair and growth, provided a variety of plant proteins are consumed.
New Culinary Experiences: Veganuary encourages runners to experiment with new, plant-based recipes, expanding their culinary horizons and potentially discovering new favorite pre-run or recovery meals.