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Thousands of Vegans Studied

The first study of thousands of vegans is released. It compares their body mass index to that of vegetarians, flexitarians, and omnivores.

December 23, 2010 |
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Supplementary Info

Thousands of Vegans Studied, 4.7 out of 5 based on 6 ratings

Sources Cited

S. Tonstad, T. Butler, R. Yan, and G. E. Fraser. Type of vegetarian diet, body weight, and prevalence of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care, 32(5). 791-796, 2009.

Acknowledgements

Transcript

This is where we were in 1985—hardly any obesity. And then came the 90’s and we had to start adding whole new categories of obesity rates, and this is where we are today. The average American is now overweight, and 1 in 3 are medically obese.
It didn’t take long to go from this… to this. That’s what’s fueling our epidemic of type 2 diabetes in this country.
Over the last ten years diabetes rates have skyrocketed 90% in the United States, which means more dialysis, more gangrene, more blindness, and more amputations.
As a total nutritional science geek, I ate up this new study: “Which are the greatest discoveries in nutrition in the last 33 years.” Making the top 15 list was the discovery that diabetes can be prevented by diet and lifestyle.
So how do you prevent it? The first study in human history, of thousands of vegans, was just published in the journal of the American Diabetes Association. Thousands of U.S. vegans studied for the first time ever.
First, let’s compare weight. A BMI over 30 is considered obese, between 25 and 30 overweight, and they used to call under 25 “normal” weight, but it is no longer the norm. The average BMI in this country is now 28.8.
The first question is where do flexitarians fall? A “flexitarian” is a “flexible vegetarian,” meaning someone who eats meat once or twice a month, but is basically vegetarian. Where do they fall?
You’ve got three choices: Heavier than meat-eaters, lighter than meateaters, but still overweight, or, on average, not overweight at all?
Do you think they found flexitarians to be fatter than regular meateaters? Do you think those who only eat meat a few times a month are skinner than meateaters, but are still on average overweight? Or do you think if we cut down our meat consumption that low our weight should normalize?
This is America—even the flexitarians are overweight.
What about the full-time vegetarians, though? Same basic three choices: Do you think vegetarians turned out to fatter than flexitarians? Do you think those who don’t eat meat are skinner than those who do, but are still on average overweight? or do you think if you just cut out meat you’ll lose the excess fat?
This is America—even the vegetarians are overweight—but, they are a healthier weight than those who eat meat even only a few times a month.
You can see where the trend is going. What if those vegetarians cut out dairy and eggs? Would they lose enough weight to become the only dietary group in North America that’s actually not overweight. You tell me.
Do you think cutting out dairy and eggs makes you gain weight? Do you think it would make you lose, but not enough to make the cut-off? or do you think populations need to cut out meat and dairy and eggs to achieve a healthy weight?
This is America, and that means, only the vegans are, on average, a healthy weight. And that’s like a 40 pound spread between vegans and meateaters, which is pretty dramatic.
But maybe it’s not their diet; maybe vegans just tend to exercise more? No. They carefully measured activity levels, and if anything, the vegans in this study exercised less than the meateaters. Lazy vegans… but still on average 40 pounds lighter.

To see any graphs, charts, graphics, images, and quotes to which Dr. Greger may be referring watch the above video. This is just an approximation of the audio contributed by veganmontreal.

To help out on the site please email volunteer@nutritionfacts.org

Dr. Michael Greger

Doctor's Note

Please feel free to post any ask-the-doctor type questions here in the comments section and I’d be happy to try to answer them. And check out theother videos on omnivores, flexitarians, vegetarians, and vegans. Also, there are1,449 other subjects covered in the rest of my videos--please feel free to explore them as well!

For more context, check out my associated blog posts: Preventing and Treating Kidney Failure With Diet, Poultry and Penis Cancer, NutritionFacts.org: the first month, Boosting Gut Flora Without Probiotics,The Ice Diet, and  Poultry Paunch: Meat & Weight Gain.

  • http://nutritionfacts.org/members/mgreger/ Michael Greger M.D.

    Please feel free to post any ask-the-doctor type questions here in the comments section and I’d be happy to try to answer them. And check out the other videos on omnivores, flexitarians, vegetarians, and vegans. Also, there are 1,449 other subjects covered in the rest of my videos–please feel free to explore them as well!

  • http://nutritionfacts.org/members/novecento/ Novecento

    In my opinion this huge gap in weight between vegans and meat eaters can be explained with junk food.

    Although there may be vegans eating pasta and chips, most of them eat an abundance of whole foods including fresh vegetables and whole grains (the majority of which not from wheat).

    The majority of meat eaters are also junk food eaters, having plenty of refined wheat flour and sweets, a cause of excessive weight more than meat itself. The quality of their meat is also low and very high in fat.

    So if we were to compare veganism with a diet full of whole foods including a moderate amount of lean meats and fish, I think the average weight of the two groups would be very similar.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Heather-Rhine/1288032174 Heather Rhine

      although, you do have a point, do you believe that flexitarians and vegetarians also eat more junk food than vegans?  these people also care about their diet.  why is there a difference between the average weights of flexitarians and vegetarians?  this difference between their diets is only a small amount of meat.

      • Alia XxX

        I think vegetarians and flexitarians are more interested or more addicted to food than vegans. It is not easy to give up dairy products, not easy. And in my personal opinion a vegan is someone who is dedicated to their diet for various reasons and they will not step wrongly. For a vegetarian and/or a flexitarian it might be easier to eat not necessary junk food but foods that can make fat deposit? It is just a guess.

  • ed

    Makes sense to me.  18 months ago I went vegetarian at 240#.  I also dramatically reduced my consumption of dairy and eggs but not cheese or Greek yogurt. So I can’t quite claim Vegan.  Today I weight 190# which is my ideal weight.

    • Michael Greger M.D.

       That’s fantastic–congratulations!

  • Michael Greger M.D.

    Please also check out my associated blog post, Poultry and Penis Cancer!

  • Liakay00

    I agree with some of the others – it may be that junk food is accounting for a lot of the difference in weight. It might be that vegans are more careful about what they eat (especially the ones who’re vegan for health reasons). Or that there is way less junk food that has no animal products in it, and so less opportunity to eat junk.

    This is especially true when eating out. Even the vegetarian options have animal products all over it (like butter, cheese, etc.). And with a lot of Americans eating out a lot, and very few vegan options on average, I bet a lot of vegans make homemade meals a lot of the time. I mean, we can’t even eat ramen in a cup. And you can only consume so much rice and pasta before you’re re really full.

  • Liakay00

    Oops, I hadn’t finished.

    But, this is a very interesting study and I do think that being vegan has health benefits. I’m a vegan mostly because of how animals are treated, but I really like the healthy side effects.

  • http://www.facebook.com/IivariMatias Iivari-Matias Hammonds

    This study is very inspiring. I became vegan only a week ago, but I’m really worried, because I’m already borderline ‘underweight’ and am really trying to build up to a healthier weight and keep it there. With the food options being so healthy and fat-free, is that even a realistic goal, do you think?

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1595741353 Richard S Brown

      A healthy vegan diet (lots of greens & raw plant based foods – no junk) will get you to a healthy weight. If you think you look too skinny then  go to the gym and pump some weights.  You will have so much more energy as a vegan it becomes easy. There are many professional body builders who are vegan… nuf said.

      • http://www.facebook.com/IivariMatias Iivari-Matias Hammonds

        I wasn’t sure if having fewer sources of protein would stunt it, since so many ‘muscle builder’ drinks have milk based solutions in them, but that’s a really good point about the extra energy… After some research, I find alot of footballers are surprisingly vegan and, like you mentioned, body builders. Thanks very much for the feedback, sir!!

    • Toxins

      All whole plant foods contain a mix of all fats, so these foods are not fat free, but low in fat. Try to consume starch based meals, as these tend to be calorie dense, nutrient dense and quite satiating. Starches include brown rice, quinoa, wheat, beans, oats, corn, potatoes, etc.

    • Carol Wexler

      Eat plenty of plant foods which contain fat like avocados, nuts and seeds. Roasted pumpkin seeds are fabulous as is or sprinkled over grains.

  • http://www.facebook.com/barry.schifreen Barry Schifreen

    i went vegan in 2007 after reading dr. neal barnard’s new book on reversing diabetes.  he said to go ‘cold turkey’ for 3 weeks to see how you felt and how your blood sugar numbers changed.  i eliminated eggs and dairy and poultry and the little red meat & fish i ate.  i lost 5 pounds.  over the next 2 months i dropped another 20 pounds, just by a vegan diet.  i still have a bunch more weight to lose, but my blood sugar is near normal now.  i say i’m ’95% vegan’ as i do cheat occasionally when eating out.  so i’d call myself an overweight vegan.

  • Jacks

    Weight gain is more about amount of calories consumed, than whether the calories are from meat or veg. Vegans tend to be quite self disciplined, it goes with the territory, they restrict themselves rather than just satisfying their basic appetites. To my mind that is why there is a difference in BMIs amongst the groups.

  • http://www.facebook.com/randy.kreill Randy Kreill

    Great video… I just found this one, but I went on a 100% vegan diet in early Dec. 2010, about the time this video came out. Since then, I’ve run 50 miles and completed a full iron distance triathlon workout on my 50th birthday. Worth noting… it’s been over 7 years since I did a ten day master cleanse fast and cut way back on dairy, and I’ve not been sick even once since then. No need to see the doctor, no antibiotics in that time. Weight management has been far easier on the all vegan diet started in Dec. 2010. I’ve finally ditched the cholesterol medication as well of course.

  • Robin Petersson

    What about people on Atkins-like diets?

    • http://www.DonForresterMD.com/ Don Forrester MD

      The people on the Atkins-like diet are actually sicker when all factors considered… more diabetes, higher cholesterol. For more information you can see… http://nutritionfacts.org/video/atkins-diet-trouble-keeping-it-up/ or read Dr. Greger’s book, Carbophobia. The low carb diet is not consistent with our anatomy or physiology as hind-gut fermenting herbivores who have evolved to eat starch with more amylase genes and a 40% larger small intestine than our great ape relatives. Eat consistent with your design and you will be healthier. A varied Whole Food plant based diet centered on starches plus Vitamin B12.

  • Mike Quinoa

    I love the comedic element in your delivery, Dr. Greger. That “lazy vegans” quip just cracked me up.

  • Captain Michael

    Can you please show me that humans are herbivorous, Thanks doc :)

  • Kat

    Dear Dr. Greger,

    I would really appreciate if I could ask a few questions for a school essay. My topic is ‘Is the vegan diet healthy?” I would love your opinion!

    1. Are you vegan/vegetarian? If so, why?

    2. What are the negative affects of consuming eggs?

    3. Do you believe supplementing is necessary on a vegan lifestyle?

    4. Can eating too many vegetables or fruits be harmful?

    Thank you so much for your time, I hope to receive a respond.

    Sincerely,

    Kat

    • Toxins

      Here is a write up on eggs.

      Eggs are considered good sources of lutein and omega 3 and an excellent source of protein. For these reasons, they are considered health foods. I am going to present the real science behind eggs showing that this is false. Firstly, chickens only have lutein due to the fact that they have a varietized feed, these nutrients are not inherent of eggs. A spoonful of spinach has as much lutein as 9 eggs. We cannot really consider eggs an appropriate source of this nutrient. As for protein, all whole foods are complete sources of protein so this statement to its benefits is insignificant. Energy needs satisfy energy expenditures which is equivalent to protein needs. As long as you eat whole plant foods when your hungry till your full, then your getting enough protein.

      Regarding Omega 3, current levels of omega 3 in eggs are highly inadequate and one must consume around 30 eggs to reach an acceptable level of omega 3 for the day. A male needs around 1.6 grams of omega 3 per day, a female needs around 1.1 grams a day. Omega 3 processes to EPA which is also processed to DHA, which is highly anti inflammatory. Omega 6 processes down to arachadonic acid which is highly inflammatory. The fact that eggs are the top source of arachadonic acid nulls and voids benefits received from the omega 3 in the egg itself. High intake of arachadonic acid is linked to autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, as well as a clear link with cancer development.

      http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=20950616uid

      http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18774339

      http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21139128

      The Harvard physicians study followed 20,000 doctors for 20 years and those that ate just one egg a day had significant increase in all cause mortality.

      http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18400720

      In fact, David Spence, director of stroke prevention/atherosclerosis research center and one of the worlds leading stroke experts, said that based on the latest research, you can eat all the eggs you want IF your dying of a terminal illness. Eggs are not considered health promoting nutritionally speaking.

      http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18400699

      Eggs have been linked with heart failure

      http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18954578

      As well as type 2 diabetes.

      http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2628696/?tool=pubmed

      Furthermore, in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology, David Spence, David Jenkins (the inventor of the glycemic index) and Jean Davignon (director of atherosclerosis research group) posted a review on eggs claiming that the egg industry has been downplaying the health risks of eggs through misleading advertisements. As soon as you eat one egg, you expose your body to several hours worth of oxidative stress, inflammation of ones arteries, endothelieum impairment (what keeps you blood running smoothly) and increases the susceptibility of LDL cholesterol to oxidize (beginning stages of heart disease).

      http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21076725

      http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9001684

      The egg industry has claimed that cholesterol from eggs is not important and does not raise cholesterol levels. The fundamental flaw in the study the egg industry has used to make this claim is that they measured FASTING lipid levels at night and not levels through out the day after egg consumption. “Diet is not all about fasting lipids; it is mainly about the three-quarters of the day that we are in the nonfasting state. Fasting lipids can be thought of as a baseline; they show what the endothelium was exposed to for the last few hours of the night.”

      http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2989358/?tool=pubmed

      A single egg yolk contains approximately 215 to 275 mg of cholesterol. A safe upper limit can be capped at 200 mg if one is looking to prevent heart disease. One egg far exceeds this daily upper limit.

      In regards to egg whites, although true they are a good source of protein, this is possibly the only positive statement that can be made of it. Here is some evidence of a major component of egg whites, Methionine, possibly causing human harm.

      1. Egg whites are high in the amino Acid Methionine. Rice has 14 times less of this amino acid and beans 7 time less. When one consumes Methionine in a large quantity (like that found in egg whites), it is broken down into sulfuric compounds. these sulfuric compounds are buffered by the calcium of the bones. the result, over time, is osteoporosis and kidney stones.

      http://www.vivalis.si/literatura/6a00.pdf

      2. Cancer cell metabolism is dependent upon methionine being present in the diet; whereas normal cells can grow on a methionine-free

      diet feeding off other sulfur-containing amino acids.

      http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14585259

      http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12416254

      3. Insulin like growth factor is raised significantly by Methionine. raised levels of IGF-1 = accelerated aging/tumor promotion.

      http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12176673

      http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/content/92/18/1472.abstract

      4. Sulfur from Methionine is known to be toxic to the tissues of the intestine, and to have harmful effects on the human colon, even at low levels, possibly causing ulcerative colitis.

      http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9448181

      http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/content/82/11/950.abstract

      The only supplements Dr. Greger recommends are vitamin b12 and vitamin D.
      You can have too much vegetables in some cases, but not practically. After consuming 100 cups of broccoli in a day DNA damage has been shown to occur, but who would eat this amount in a day?

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