As many, including myself, celebrate World Vegan Day on November 1st, it's an opportune moment to delve into the profound impact of a plant-based diet, particularly for female competitive athletes. Beyond the ethical and environmental reasons that often drive individuals toward veganism, the benefits for athletic performance, recovery, and overall well-being are increasingly gaining recognition. I am not a vegan myself but I thoroughly applaud all of the different aspects of performance nutrition and I learnt so much from my research.
Simply by researching the nutritional richness of a well-planned vegan diet, highlighting essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support peak athletic performance, I certainly as an athlete understand the benefits of a plant based nutrition plan. There is an absolute abundance of plant-based protein sources, which clearly debunks the myth that athletes need animal products for muscle development. There is lots of research stating how plant-based foods can contribute to faster recovery by reducing inflammation, crucial for athletes facing intense training regimens.
Although I have not found any conclusive research there is lots of interest moving forward as to how a vegan diet can provide sustained energy throughout the day, vital for the demanding schedules of competitive training programmes. I would really welcome any thoughts or case studies which show that a vegan diet may positively influence estrogen levels, which in turn will potentially aid in hormonal balance. The jury seems to still be out on this particular question
In my opinion, as we celebrate World Vegan Day on November 1st, I think it's important to recognise the transformative power of a plant-based diet for all athletes.
It's one more aspect of how we can 'Build a better Body.'
Love Pearly xx
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