Over 80 million people worldwide follow a vegan diet. ln other words, something under 1% of the global population don't consume meat, fish, dairy or any other animal products, and live off purely plant-based food.

1 % of everyone on earth perhaps doesn't sound very much; in contrast, about 22% are vegetarian, just staying away from meat and fish. However, in some parts of the world, the numbers switching to veganism have risen considerably in recent times. ln the USA, for instance, 6% of the population now say they are vegans, which is 5 times more than a couple of decades ago.  1 However, numbers continue to go up, especially among teenagers and young adults.

There are various reasons why veganism is becoming more popular.  2 People everywhere are uncomfortably aware that animal farming is a major cause of greenhouse gas emissions and, therefore, of climate change. Overall, the amount of carbon dioxide produced by cows, sheep and other livestock is greater than that produced by all forms of transport, and going vegan is one way for individuals to reduce their carbon footprint.

Animal farming affects the environment in other ways. Forests are cleared to make way for farm animals, and lots of agricultural land is used for growing crops to feed them. This results in the loss of habitats for many species, which become endangered or extinct. 3 The hope is  that others will follow their lead and switch to a plant-based diet, and that large numbers doing this will make a major difference to the environmental crisis.

There are other reasons why people disapprove of animal farming. Easily accessible videos show poor treatment of chickens living in overcrowded conditions, young sheep separated from their mothers, and cows given chemical so they grow faster and bigger. Steps have been taken to introduce stricter regulations and more acceptable farming methods. 4 Ordinary people realise this and feel they have little option but to go vegan.

With veganism becoming more common, researchers have been looking at how giving up meat, fish and dairy products might affect people's health. The media focus is often on results that link veganism to health problems, but most findings are positive. 5 For example, it reduces body weight and lowers the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other common conditions. Some studies also show that the right balance of vegetables, fruits, beans, grains, nuts and seeds can support skin health and improve mood.

On the other hand, studies have found that plant-based diets don’t provide some people with enough vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, ome-3 fatty acids and various minerals. In fact, experts recommend that children and teenagers on vegan diets should have their intake of key nutrients supervised and, in particular, should take supplements of vitamin B12 and calcium. But experts also say that well-planned vegan diets can be food for people of all ages.