World Vegan Day returns on 1st November every year with much fervor and happiness!
The day celebrates every individual who took a bold step in protecting the lives of innocent animals and saving the environment from catastrophic consequences.
The day celebrates you!
However, the day might confuse you if you’re just considering joining the vegan lifestyle.
“Why is there a separate day for vegans?”, “Does it have any meaning?”, “Is it important?”
If your mind is riddled with such questions, then you’re at the right place.
Let us take an in-depth look at World Vegan Day, its significance, the benefits of being a vegan, and how you can integrate into this lifestyle!
What Is World Vegan Day?
World Vegan Day is a day on which the efforts of vegans in stopping the cruelty against animals are appreciated.
Every year on November 1, vegans across different countries come together to discuss their achievements and spread awareness regarding animal maltreatment, mass livestock exploitation, and its environmental effects.
Every year 70 billion land animals are slaughtered for consumption.
This number excludes the amount of seafood reared and killed.
This is the height of exploitation, and vegans seek to change it.
Vegans encourage all non-vegans to acknowledge the deaths of these creatures and adopt a new way of living.
And the fact that a vegan lifestyle also helps promote a healthy lifestyle certainly works in the vegans’ favor!
Origins: How Was World Vegan Day Established?
Veganism is not a practice of recent times. Its history is believed to have been rooted in the time of the Indus Valley Civilization, the oldest known human settlement. Even Pythagoras, the famous Greek mathematician, condemned the consumption of animals and encouraged his followers to give up animals as well.
Based on these practices, the modern-day understanding of veganism came to be established. In 1806, Dr. William Lambe and Percy Bysshe Shelley spoke against consuming dairy and eggs for ethical reasons.
But it wasn’t until November 1944 that the term “Vegan” came into existence. Donald Watson came up with the term as a replacement for ‘non-dairy vegetarian.’ And it was in 1994 when Louise Wallis, the Chair of the Vegan Society, established World Vegan Day to mark 50 years of Vegan Society’s establishment. It is celebrated in November of every year.
Significance of World Vegan Day
Vegans use World Vegan Day to promote a lifestyle and diet that prohibits incorporating any product that harms animals during production. It also seeks to promote the health benefits of the vegan diet. They help the populace understand how their regular consumption is damaging the environment and even leading to the mass extinction of several species.
What Is a Vegan Lifestyle?
Veganism denotes a lifestyle where individuals give up the consumption of dairy products, including milk and other by-products of animal origin. Similar to vegetarians, they also do not consume any form of meat. It is often said that Wallis derived the word “vegan” from the first and last part of “vegetarian.”
So, in short, it can be said that a vegan lifestyle is a way of living that excludes all forms of animal meat and derivatives and any products made by harming animals like bags, clothes, makeup, etc.
Is Veganism Different From Vegetarianism?
Yes, veganism is quite different from vegetarianism. While both lifestyles avoid dairy products and meat, veganism is more restricting. Vegans also do not consume eggs, gelatin, and honey. They are also against soaps, bags, or beauty products made using animal by-products.
So, based on consumption patterns, it can be said that vegetarianism is easier to practice. They still get nutrients, vitamins, and proteins from some animal products. But since vegans are strictly against it, they have to search for substitutes for it.
Benefits of Veganism
Veganism helps stop animal cruelty and protect the environment, but it also has other benefits. Some of them are:
Rich Nutrients for Your Body
You can achieve your body's nutrients through a healthy, well-balanced diet consisting of fruits, green vegetables, nuts, beans, peas, grains, pulses, and seeds. Studies have concluded that veganism helps intake more fibers, nutrients, antioxidants, magnesium, potassium, and Vitamins A, C, and E.
Reduces the Risk of Cancer
According to a large 2017 study, the vegan diet is beneficial in reducing cancer risk by over 15%. This is because this plant-based diet contains phytochemicals, fiber, and vitamins – biological components that fight against cancer.
The research also concluded that vegans possessed a higher concentration of antioxidant carotenoids, relatively high omega-3 fatty acids, and low saturated fatty acids compared to their non-vegan counterparts.
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, red meat has also been deemed carcinogenic and can lead to colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, and pancreatic cancer. The same study shows that processed meat can cause colorectal cancer. And since veganism eliminates them both, you’ll be free from it.
Improves Heart Health
A large study in 2019 has found that with higher intake of plant-based food and fewer animal product can reduce the risk of heart diseases and even death. Animal products like meat, butter, and cheese are laden with saturated fats. According to American Heart Association, eating them leads to high cholesterol levels, leading to heart diseases or even stroke.
Plants are rich in fiber, which is linked to a healthier heart. It is also a fact that those on a vegan diet intake fewer calories than the standard Western diet. This directly affects their BMI and risk of obesity.
Boosts Mood
Having a better mood with a vegan lifestyle is a given. You won’t have the guilt of harming animals on your conscience while having better health. Studies even show that vegans are almost 10% happier than non-vegans. In fact, they are more likely to perform better on depression and other mental health tests.
Lowers Body Weight
Vegans tend to have a lower BMI than those following other diets. The 2015 study proves that a vegan diet was more effective in lowering body weight than semi-vegetarian, omnivorous, and pesco-vegetarian diets. And it does so while providing sufficient macronutrients.
This was because the other diets have animal foods with high calories and fat. Replacing them with plant-foods help in weight reduction.
Prevents Type-2 Diabetes
It is also proved by a 2019 study that this plant-based diet can prevent and reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes.
Promotes Healthier Skin
Want glowing, healthy skin with little blemishes? Adopt a vegan lifestyle now! The main enemy of unhealthy skin is dairy products that exacerbate acne and pimples on your face amongst women and men alike. Since vegans avoid dairy altogether and instead choose fruits and vegetables, their skin tends to be more smooth.
This happens because these alternatives contain antioxidants and vitamins, vital ingredients for healthy skin.
Reduces Arthritis Pain
Studies have shown that the vegan diet plays an integral role in reducing the symptoms of arthritis. The animal products are responsible for pain-causing inflammation, which is a terrible deal for your knees and other joints.
Instead of eating animal products, you can switch them to probiotic plant-based foods like non-dairy yogurts (made with live cultures) and fermented vegetables. They will boost goof bacterias in your large intestine while increasing nutrient absorption and reducing inflammation.
World Vegan Day: Theme
In 2021 the theme of World Vegan Day was 'vegan for the less.' It stood for how vegans do not need to spend an outrageous amount of money to follow this diet. It is, in fact, quite affordable and is a healthy option for people affected by inflation.
The Vegan Society shared valuable tips to make the diet more accessible. They even shared easy and cheap recipes, with several useful ways to save money while following veganism and other important information.
As November 2022 comes near, we are eagerly waiting, with our fingers crossed, for this year’s theme reveal. The Vegan Society always comes with some unique each year, and it never disappoints!
The Future of Veganism
Veganism is quickly gaining traction amongst health and animal-conscious people, and it won’t be long before it becomes the most sought-after lifestyle! As people realize the bleak future our world might hold owing to the overconsumption of animals and the status of their bodies due to all the unhealthy intake, veganism starts looking like a utopian diet.
However, as beneficial as this diet is, it does not suit the requirements of every individual due to health restrictions. So, be cautious.
Be a Part of Vegan Day!
World Vegan Day is essential to campaign for innocent creatures who cannot speak for themselves! Once you understand its numerous benefits and broaden your perspective, you’ll understand why so many people have started following the vegan lifestyle. It’s just a matter of eating no meat.
So, what is stopping you? Join World Vegan Day 2022 now! Your one small step is a part of a vast movement that seeks to create a future for everyone who resides here.
What is your favorite and go-to vegan dish? Let us know in the comments below!