Since Veganuary launched 12 years ago, millions of people have taken part in the annual initiative, with participants joining from almost every country in the world.
And while people take part for different reasons and each have their own experience, there are four physical changes that so many people report that they have become known as “The Big Four”. They are more energy, better sleep, improved digestion and clearer skin.
Better Digestion
Ben Shaps, 35, from London had been a committed omnivore, eating lots of meat, cheese, fish and eggs at almost every meal. He took part in Veganuary 2023 and, despite having what he describes as “a great experience”, went straight back to his old diet once the month was over.
But later that year, Ben became ill and started experiencing nausea, anxiety and poor digestion, and he reverted to a plant-based diet in the hope that this would improve how he was feeling. “And fortunately, it did!” he told us.
“Within about a week I felt lighter,” he said, “and noticed that I had more energy. It was a virtuous circle as this led to improved sleep and better recovery from exercise. Sleeping better and having better digestion has been invaluable in helping me to thrive in my busy life with three small children. I’ve been plant-based for just over two years and am feeling healthier and stronger than I did in my early twenties.”
Better digestion was also a welcome outcome for Sonia Wilson, 47, from London who also took part in Veganuary 2023.
Unlike Ben, Sonia hadn’t eaten meat for decades but was increasingly becoming concerned about the suffering of cows in the dairy industry.
She says, “Veganuary gave me a great opportunity to focus on how to cut out dairy products, which seem to get into everything, and to grow my plant-based repertoire.”
It also turned out to be a game-changing experience. “Cutting out dairy has massively improved my gut health,” Sonia told us. “I have been on this journey since getting cervical cancer back in 2018 and dairy products provoked my gut that was extra-sensitive after all the radiation. But I have felt immensely healthier and more energetic since going fully plant-based.”
Clearer Skin
For Karla Taylor-Hildebrandt, 30, of Lancashire, the changes in her gut health were nothing short of miraculous.
“I’ve had IBS since I was a teenager,” she told us, “and it has been on and off in severity over the years, often linked to stress. It made transitioning from education to a 9-5 office job difficult because it would mean frequent trips to the bathroom, and you can’t really say why. But since going vegan I have not had any flare ups. I rarely bloat whereas before, I felt constantly bloated and sluggish every time I ate. Also, my skin is absolutely glowing.”
Like Karla, Lana Brown, 22, from Bournemouth also noticed some positive changes in her skin after taking part in Veganuary 2021.
She had been brought up vegetarian but was inspired by her mum to give veganism a try.
And it worked out well for her! “I have noticed many benefits,” she told us, “particularly as someone young who is constantly active I felt much more energised, along with feeling clearer minded and more refreshed. On top of this my skin massively improved with having little to no acne across the face and body despite all the hormonal changes through my younger years.”
More Energy
Kimia Etemadi, 34, from Manchester had been vegetarian since 2008 and took part in Veganuary 2024 after ten years of health challenges following a cancer diagnosis.
“And everything improved!” she says. “Energy, health, attitude, conscience. I love it and I’ve stayed vegan! As a sufferer of chronic fatigue since having had intensive chemotherapy for cancer in 2013, I have felt less limited by my fatigue since cutting out non-vegan products! So, I am feeling better not only in my conscience for the animals, but better in both my physical and mental health.”
Sadie Lewis, 66, Cheshire experienced something similar: “I now have better control of my diabetes,” she told us. “It’s easier to manage my protein intake to ensure I get good uptake of my Parkinson’s meds. There’s been some weight loss and better energy levels. I’ve taken up boxing and yoga as I have more energy.”
Not everyone will experience these welcome changes in their health when switching to a plant-based diet but so many people do! These are just a few of the messages we have received recently but there are hundreds more. We’ll give the final words to Sophie and Lorraine:
“I took part in Veganuary 2021. It changed the way I think about everything! My energy has improved, I have more stable moods, I’m less bloated, and I eat a much wider variety of food.” – Sophie Pittaway, 26, Surrey
“I switched to a plant-based diet in Dec 2020 and started following Veganuary then. I had been vegetarian for over 30 years and was nervous about the switch but I have never felt more well and energetic in my life! I feel my gut health is amazing. But the most unexpected feeling was the relief of just not eating any animal products, it was a real mental game-changer for me.” – Lorraine Skelton, 57, Berkshire.
It is free to take part in Veganuary at any time of the year, and participants who register receive daily emails with tips, recipes, news and exciting resources like the ever-popular Celebrity e-Cookbook.
