How can taking part in Veganuary impact our health? Former participants share their stories
If this is your first time eating plant-based, you may be wondering how it will affect your body. While everyone is different, many Veganuary participants have seen health benefits after taking part. The Veganuary 2024 Six-Month survey revealed that nearly two-thirds of respondents saw health benefits of more energy, better skin and improved mood.
From digestion to heart disease, and from skin conditions to inflammatory disease, we celebrate some of the health transformations experienced by some very happy Veganuary participants.
Improved Digestion
“As soon as I switched to a plant-based diet, I felt less bloated, my skin looked better and my digestive system felt less inflamed,” says Jenny Goodall of Sheffield. “I had not expected this and was surprised at how much better I felt.” Jenny is by no means alone! Improvements to the digestive process are one of the most immediate and most common changes that Veganuary participants notice.
For many people, including Bev Hurved of Devon, Katie Brewer from Cumbria and Carol Wood from Glasgow, abdominal bloating subsides, leaving them feeling so much more comfortable. Celia Brook from Leamington Spa had a revelation, as for three decades she’d had no idea it was dairy that was causing her digestive problems.
For Nicky Goulding of Wokingham, daily bowel movements and an end to bloating were very welcome, but also her IBS symptoms disappeared. Claire Anderson of Cardiff had a similar experience. “I am eating a more interesting, varied and healthy diet, which has helped tackle IBS symptoms,” she said.
Over the years, we must have heard positive stories about every aspect of the digestive process! Nikki Goold of Birkenhead and Wendy Parkes of Sheffield have respectively eliminated and reduced heartburn, while for some people, the outcome of switching to a plant-based diet is absolutely life-changing. Audrey of Nairobi told us, “I used to have severe stomach ulcers. That has changed.”
Much More Energy
“It’s really improved my energy levels,” says Nikki Goold. “Who knew!!” Well, after introducing millions of people to eating vegan over many years, we have to admit that we did! But we are always overjoyed to hear of this wonderful outcome.
“My energy levels have soared,” says Lily Bell from Margate, while Jen Nash from Weymouth agrees, having noticed “a huge improvement in my energy levels”. For Sam Ratcliff of Glossop, there was a triumvirate of triumph: “More energy, clearer skin and not as creaky.”
Jessica Grainger from Kingswinford found she had “constant energy, rather than peaks and troughs during the day,” which is fantastic news for those who prefer not to nod off after lunch!
Maria Hutchings from Bridport noticed, “I had more energy, I wasn’t as sluggish getting up in the mornings and was able to get up earlier than before which was life changing!” Carolyn Allen found mornings easier too. “I have more energy, which means I’m more ‘up for life’ and possibly makes it easier to get up in the morning.”
‘Life-changing’ is a word we hear a lot but never tire of! Charlie Smith who took part in 2022 told us, “I’m now fully vegan and have substantially more energy and focus! You’ve helped change my life, for the better!! 😊❤”
Weight Loss
“I have always struggled to maintain a healthy weight,” Sarah Nelmes of Harlow told us. “Eight years ago, I lost 4 stone and keeping it off has been difficult – my weight has fluctuated during these 8 years.
To keep the weight off I have lived my life calorie counting which becomes quite a miserable way to live! Now that I am vegan, I do not need to count calories or watch what I eat. I have maintained my weight without even trying so being vegan has given me a freedom that I’ve never had before. In turn this has brought me happiness and I now enjoy cooking and food again.”
We could not be happier for Sarah and for everyone else who has found a similar freedom. They include Alison Bloomfield from West Sussex, Bethany Weatherhead from Chester, Daniel from Cheltenham, and Carolyn Allen from Glasgow who said, “I’ve lost weight without changing much else about my life.”
Monica Porter from Great Yarmouth was completely taken by surprise! “People kept saying to me ‘you have lost weight’, but I wasn’t dieting so I didn’t believe them. When I finally went on the scales, I had lost 5 kilos and dropped a dress size without even dieting!”
Skin Health Improves
Alongside weight loss, Bethany Weatherhead noticed another positive change. “I would often get acne around my chin which was annoying to have when in your late 20s, but after cutting out dairy it’s now extremely rare to get any spots at all.”
Improved skin is another common outcome among Veganuary participants. Carolyn Allen found her skin was less puffy, while Emma Jones from Leeds said, “I’ve been vegan for 8 years and my skin has cleared up dramatically.”
For Claire Anderson, the positive effects were not hers alone. “It has improved mine and my son’s skin by cutting out dairy,” she told us. And for Clare from Peterborough, the changes happened really fast! “The most noticeable change in 2022 was to my skin, “she said. “Within 3 weeks any blemishes had cleared up.”
Olivia Eaton from Amersham told us, “Every meal I have now is hugely nutritious and packed full of vitamins and minerals. I really prioritise it and my skin, hair and health reflect this.” Sabiene North from Oxford simply said: “My skin is amazing.”
Respiratory Improvements
One thing we don’t talk about very often is the impact of our diet on respiratory health, but we really should! Jeremy Broomfield from Cambridge cited an improvement in sinus issues since switching to a vegan diet. And as well as dropping a dress size, Monica Porter soon noticed that her sinuses were no longer blocked “and I wasn’t blowing my nose all the time. Next, I realised the phlegm in my throat which made me cough and clear my throat regularly was no longer there.”
David Harriman from Norwich has been vegan since 1992 and still takes part in Veganuary. The main change he noticed when he switched to a vegan diet was a big one: his asthma was gone within six weeks. And while Michelle Mead from Bideford can’t claim a plant-based diet has cured hers, there has nonetheless been a noticeable improvement in her asthma symptoms, too.
Inflammatory Diseases
Mary Cummings from London, who took part in 2019, has an incredible story. “I have suffered from inflammatory pain for almost 20 years. It affected my mobility to the extent that I used a walking stick, I took far too many painkillers, and my lack of mobility meant I gained a lot of weight. (Cue many fad diets too). The turning point for me was one morning in late December 2018. I took ages to get out of bed as my joints were so painful. I remember thinking, ‘How about I try a vegan diet! It can’t do me any harm, can it?!’”
She took part in Veganuary and the rest is history. “By the end of that first month, the pain in my ankles and knees subsided considerably. I was also shocked to discover that I had shed 10lbs.” Mary stuck with the plant-based diet and today no longer needs a walking stick. “My pain has gone entirely,” she says, “and my GP is still very impressed with my improved health.”
Vicki McIntee from California says her entire body has changed since switching to a plant-based diet, and she has pulled back from the brink of pre-diabetes. “I feel great since losing the weight and changing my diet away from all those inflammatory foods,” she says.
As well as having great skin, Sabiene from Oxford found that there has been a “slowdown of inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis” which is the most wonderful news. And we are delighted that Veganuary alumni Colette Spooner from Hull has seen a “significant improvement” with her endometriosis symptoms.
Heart Health
A plant-based diet is renowned for being a heart-healthy way to eat so we are never surprised – but always delighted – to hear from participants who have experienced improved cardiovascular health. Vicki McIntee not only dodged diabetes, her cholesterol levels improved dramatically. “And I no longer need to take a statin,” she told us.
Joanna Rigby from Newton-le-Willows and Mike Webb from Stoke on Trent also reported lowered cholesterol levels, while another participant who preferred to remain anonymous told us, “My blood pressure and cholesterol have dropped and are now within normal range.”
Nageswaran Srinivasan from Trivandrum in India took part in Veganuary 2024. “Recently I tested my blood,” he tells us. “My cholesterol level, SGPT levels and glucose levels are in control. I am happy, I changed to Veganuary.”
Fibromyalgia
This year we heard from two Veganuary alumni whose lives had been blighted by fibromyalgia – a condition that can cause pain all over the body. While there is no cure, research suggests that switching to a plant-based diet can help.
It certainly did for Anne Hall from Buxton who says she is able to manage the symptoms better since taking part in Veganuary and for Nicole Rivera of Texas who has “managed to eliminate all my fibromyalgia symptoms.” We could not be happier for her, and for everyone who has experienced a transformative effect after switching to a plant-based diet.
Feeling inspired by these stories? Read about the mental health improvements former Veganuary participants have seen.
