What Happens to Your Body When You Go Vegan? | PETA (2024)

Published by Rebecca Libauskas.

4 min read

Folks are realizing that it’s not healthy to exploit and kill animals for food. According to data from Google Trends for 2022, vegan-related searches outranked those for keto. And according to research by Chef’s Pencil, searches about vegan food are the most popular of all the diet-related terms they studied.

The First 24 Hours After Going Vegan

You may feel a difference after just a few healthy plant-based meals. Vegan foods such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and legumes are rich in fiber, which promotes good digestion by reducing the amount of sugar your blood absorbs. And researchers have found that eating plant-based foods helps healthy gut bacteria flourish and decreases inflammation.

You may well feel refreshed after just the first 24 hours of vegan living. Perhaps you’ve experienced “meat sweats”—a phenomenon that can occur after consuming a meat-heavy meal. Well-balanced vegan meals provide all the energy you need to remain active throughout the day, without the heavy, gross feeling you can get after consuming animal-derived food.

A Few Days After Going Vegan

Within the first few days of plant-based eating, you may feel more energized and alert. The protein in meat is tougher for humans to break down than plant protein is, making it a challenge to digest, which can cause sluggishness. And meat contains a lot of fat, which slows down the rate at which your stomach empties, resulting in bloating and discomfort, not to mention an increased likelihood of unwanted weight gain. Going vegan is a simple way to feel and look better fast.

After just a few days, you might notice a “vegan glow” when you look in the mirror. Antioxidants found in fresh fruits and vegetables, which assist in shielding skin from cellular damage, probably contribute to this effect.

After a Few Weeks of Being Vegan

Soon, you may notice that your cravings are beginning to adjust. Research shows that even after a few weeks without consuming foods high in salt, fat, and sugar, your tastes begin to change in a positive way. Craving foods that make you feel good is a game changer for many who are trying to improve their health.

We all have jeans that are a bit snug. You may be surprised by how quickly they become more comfortable once you go vegan. Meanwhile, your energy level may improve, making it easier to exercise. And your body may release extra water that it was retaining.

After a Few Months of Being Vegan

If you stick with it, you may begin to notice increased mental acuity. Perhaps that’s partly because new vegans often report that they sleep better.

Studies also show that going vegan may lower A1C levels. Some folks have even stopped needing their blood pressure or diabetic medication after making the switch.

Many people report positive changes, inside and out, after just a few months. Some even discover that their hair looks shinier, thicker, and healthier—likely due to the elevated levels of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients in a plant-based diet.

The Long-Term Benefits of Being Vegan

As a vegan, you may feel like a brand-new person. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the benefits of sticking with healthy vegan food choices over the long term include the following:

  • Improved health of the skin, teeth, and eyes
  • Enhanced muscular function and strength
  • Enhanced immunity
  • Stronger bones
  • Reduced risk of developing heart disease, various forms of cancer, type 2 diabetes, and other diseases
  • Improved digestive system performance
  • Greater likelihood of either losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight
  • Excellent support for a healthy pregnancy and breastfeeding

And according to research, eating a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains lowers your risk of cognitive decline as you age.

When You Go Vegan, Other Animals Benefit, Too!

The shift toward vegan eating helps us all. In 2020, the lives of approximately 1 million animals were spared because more U.S. fast-food restaurants started offering vegan options.

The single best thing we can do to prevent animal suffering is to go vegan. It’s a matter of supply and demand. Fewer animals are raised to suffer on farms and die in slaughterhouses when you refuse to pay for their flesh, eggs, milk, and honey. You can save nearly 200 animals per year just by going vegan!

Order a free copy of PETA’s vegan starter kit to start sparing animals and feeling better today. It will guide you through the transition to a healthier, happier, and longer-lasting life.

Send Me a Free Vegan Starter Kit!

What Happens to Your Body When You Go Vegan? | PETA (2024)

FAQs

What Happens to Your Body When You Go Vegan? | PETA? ›

Vegan foods such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and legumes are rich in fiber, which promotes good digestion by reducing the amount of sugar your blood absorbs. And researchers have found that eating plant-based foods helps healthy gut bacteria flourish and decreases inflammation.

What happens to your body when you become vegan? ›

At the start of a change to a vegan diet, you could experience a variety of differences to your body. These may include being hungrier, getting gassier, a change in your skin or body odor, weight loss or gain, better or worse sleep, headaches, tiredness, or having more energy.

What happens to your digestive system when you go vegan? ›

Going vegan is like an extreme makeover for your gut, and it doesn't take long for this change to happen. The fiber in plant-based foods feeds good bacteria, which is essential for a healthy gut and better overall health. Fiber will also improve your bowel movements, keeping you regular and preventing constipation.

What happens if we all become vegan? ›

If we all gave up meat, around eight million fewer people would die each year, as a result of lower levels of heart disease, strokes and cancer. But most crops have lower levels of micronutrients per calorie than meat – especially vitamins A, B12 and D, and some essential fatty acids.

Is being vegan good or bad for your body? ›

A vegan diet can be very nutritious, but there are some potential risks. Avoiding animal foods can shortchange you on a few nutrients, like protein, calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, vitamin B12, and vitamin D. You need protein to power all the chemical reactions in your body.

What will happen if humans stop eating animals? ›

“It would be a huge net win for the environment,” Dutkiewicz said. By one estimate, a complete phaseout of meat over 15 years would cut as much as one-third of all methane emissions and two-thirds of all nitrous oxide emissions. Water use would fall drastically. Biodiversity loss would slow.

What is the impact of one person going vegan? ›

By going vegan for a month, you would not only save 30 animal lives, but also 620 pounds of harmful carbon dioxide emissions, 913 square feet of forest, and 33,481 gallons of water. According to Oxford University, going vegan is the single biggest way you can reduce your environmental impact on the planet.

What happens if you only eat vegan? ›

Vegan foods such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and legumes are rich in fiber, which promotes good digestion by reducing the amount of sugar your blood absorbs. And researchers have found that eating plant-based foods helps healthy gut bacteria flourish and decreases inflammation.

Will I live longer if I become vegan? ›

While there is some scientific research to suggest that going vegan and eating less animal protein can help to prevent diseases, the evidence is still lacking in terms of cold, hard numbers on longevity in particular. However, this doesn't mean that a vegan diet won't help you live longer.

Is it OK to be vegan forever? ›

When done safely, going vegan is safe, whether you plan on doing it for three days, three years, or for an entire lifetime. There are lots of people who embark on a vegan diet only to find themselves suffering from just as many health problems as those who consume a diet rich in meat, dairy, and other animal products.

Why shouldn't we all be vegan? ›

Unfortunately, due to the highly restrictive nature of the diet, vegans are at risk of being deficient in certain nutrients such as calcium and vitamin B12 usually found in dairy and meat respectively.

Do humans need to be vegan? ›

While studies worldwide have shown the value of a balanced, healthy diet with some amount of meat, dairy and other animal products, he says, “the only one that is really challenging is a vegan lifestyle. And even there, in this day and age, there are numerous ways to replace the missing substances."

Are there negative side effects of being vegan? ›

As you read along, you'll find out that most health conditions developed by vegans are related to vitamin B12 deficiency. Without the familiar sources of vitamin B12, certain bodily functions can be disrupted, leading to anemia, gastritis, stroke, Crohn's disease, and Celiac disease.

Is vegan healthier than meat? ›

Vegetarians and vegans typically have lower body mass index, serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and blood pressure than comparable regular meat-eaters, as well as lower bone mineral density.

Is vegan the healthiest diet? ›

Is vegan a healthy lifestyle? Vegan diets can be a part of a healthy lifestyle when planned and implemented correctly. Like any eating plan to restrict specific food groups, vegan diets can come up short in essential nutrients such as protein, calcium, iron and vitamin B12.

What happens to your skin when you stop eating meat? ›

It's worth mentioning that some individuals who regularly eat meat can actually experience acne breakouts if they suddenly stop consuming meat. The body is complex, and there's no way to know for sure how eating meat or cutting it out will affect one's skin until enough time has gone by.

What happens if you never eat meat? ›

And people who don't eat meat, called vegetarians, generally eat fewer calories and less fat. They also tend to weigh less. And they have a lower risk of heart disease than nonvegetarians do. Research shows that people who eat red meat are at a higher risk of death from heart disease, stroke or diabetes.

What happens to your body when you stop eating meat? ›

You may feel tired and weak if you cut meat out of your diet. That's because you're missing an important source of protein and iron, both of which give you energy. The body absorbs more iron from meat than other foods, but it's not your only choice.

What happens to your health when you go vegan? ›

Health benefits, when done right

Promote weight loss. Reduce your risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels. Lower your chances of getting certain types of cancer, such as colon cancer. Manage diabetes by lowering A1C levels.

Are vegan people happier? ›

Vegans are happier than meat-eaters and more accepted than what's commonly believed, according to a new study by organization Tracking Happiness. The study surveyed 11,537 people from the United States, grouped into four categories: vegan (1,179), vegetarian (948), pescatarian (422), and meat-eater (8,988).

What will happen if everyone becomes vegan? ›

More people going vegan will result in less demand for meat. Farmers will adjust by breeding, raising, and slaughtering fewer animals. Similarly, more vegan products will show up in both mainstream stores and health food stores and more farmers will switch to growing things like quinoa, spelt, or kale.

How long does it take for your body to adjust to being vegan? ›

I quickly learned it takes about 30 days to feel like you're even remotely in control of this new eating method-and about six weeks to truly feel good on it. Now, almost three months later, I'm amazed at how much better my workouts feel, how much better my back feels, and how much truly healthier I feel.

Does being vegan change your body shape? ›

Short-term changes (within weeks)

Individuals on plant-based diets tend to have lower body mass indexes (BMIs) and lower overall body fat percentages compared to omnivores. For many, weight loss is an early and noticeable outcome of veganism, especially if transitioning from a standard American diet.

What i noticed when I went vegan? ›

The Pros and Cons of Going Vegan

Let's look at the pros first: * It vastly reduced the amount of fats and sugars I was taking on. * My body became leaner and more vasculated. * Going vegan produced less food waste including a lot less packaging.

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