People have been predominantly eating plant-based or vegetarian diets for centuries. However, in 1944, the term ‘vegan’ was properly invented. Veganism is the ideology and way of living which seeks to exclude any forms of animal cruelty and exploitations, whether for necessities like clothing or any other purposes.

1. Veganism - The basic knowledge on vegan diet
What is veganism or vegan diet?
Veganism or vegan diet are plant-based foods that includes fruits, vegetables, soy, legumes, nuts,
plant-based dairy alternatives, sprouted or fermented foods and whole grains. This diet has
become very popular due to health, ethical and environmental reasons.
People have been predominantly eating plant-based or vegetarian diets for centuries. However, in
1944, the term ‘vegan’ was properly invented. Veganism is the ideology and way of living which
seeks to exclude any forms of animal cruelty and exploitations, whether for necessities like
clothing or any other purposes.
What types of foods make up a vegan diet?
The food emphasized in vegan diets are rich in nutrients like vitamins, fibres, antioxidants and
phytonutrients. Veganism excludes foods like egg, meat, dairy, poultry and seafood. Vegan diets
are free of animal by-products such as honey, whey, lactose, egg-white albumen, gelatin,
carmine and animal derived vitamin D3 and omega-3 fatty acids.
Health conscious vegans
Why choose a vegan diet?
People generally choose to follow veganism to avoid animal cruelty and also for few of the
following reasons -
Ethical reasons
Ethical veganism strongly believes that all living creatures have the right to the freedom of life.
They oppose the fact that innocent animals should be slaughtered, simply to fulfill the need to
consume the flesh, drink its milk and wear its skin. They are against the psychological and
physical stress the animals have to endure as a result of modern farming practices.
Health reasons
Nowadays, humans in every sphere have started to choose veganism for potential health benefits.

2. Vegan diets or plant-based diets are known to reduce heart related risks, diabetes, cancer,
Alzheimer's diseases, arthritis and premature deaths. Many studies have also shown that
veganism helps to lower body weights and body mass index (BMI) than non-vegan diets.
Environmental reasons
A recent United Nations (UN) report proved that animal products require more resources and
cause higher greenhouse gas emissions like nitrous oxides, methane and carbon dioxide than
plant-based products.
Animal agriculture requires 43 times more water than cereal grains, and also leads to
deforestation.