Vegan diets are adding to a growing ‘hidden hunger’ phenomenon in wealthy countries, caused by a chronic lack of essential micronutrients in the diet, such as vitamins and minerals.
That’s the warning from a group of researchers at Queen’s University in Belfast, Northern Ireland (Professor Chris Elliott, Chen Situ, Dr Clare McEvoy).
Writing in the website The Conversation, the researchers warn that the while effects of the effects of such nutritional deficiencies may not be seen immediately, their consequences can be severe “and include lower resistance to disease, mental impairment and even death”.
The researchers identify several causes of hidden hunger in developed countries, including the consumption of cheap, energy dense, nutritionally poor and heavily processed foods. They point out that even when fresh produce is consumed, intake of essential micronutrients may be lower than once was the case due to poor soil health caused by poor agricultural management and climate change.
“the rapidly growing adoption of vegan diets is “likely to become another major contributor to hidden hunger in the developed world”
The Belfast team warn that the rapidly growing adoption of vegan diets is “likely to become another major contributor to hidden hunger in the developed world”. While acknowledging that a vegan diet can lower the risk of chronic disease and is good for the environment, the researchers say that a poorly planned vegan diet can lead to serious deficiencies. Key areas of concern include:
- Bone health: Vegans are at risk of lower intakes of calcium and vitamin D
- Fracture rates are nearly a third higher compared to the general population
- Omega 3, iodine and vitamin B12 levels are lower in vegans than meat eaters. Untreated B12 deficiency can cause irreversible nerve damage
The researchers say that vegans can prevent micronutrient deficiency by consuming fortified foods and taking supplements. But they add that supplement use is often resisted by those on a plant-based diet and they have been reported to interfere with the absorption of other important nutrients. They also say that plant-derived vegan supplements tend to have low biological activity in humans. They cite studies showing that vegan-friendly vitamin D2 supplements are less effective in raising blood vitamin D levels than the more widely used vitamin D3 supplements. And they warn that “other supplements, such as vitamin B12, may be largely inactive in the body”.