Wednesday, 25 November 2020
Going vegan in January has become an increasingly popular new year diet choice and nutritional experts have launched a study to analyse the nutrient changes in people who become vegan for a short time.
Last year 250,000 people world-wide signed up to ‘Veganuary’ and researchers from the University of Nottingham are looking for volunteers who are planning to join in and switch to a Vegan diet in January to take part. Participants will have their diets and micronutrient intake examined to see what changes occur.
A small study carried out by the Nottingham team last year showed those following a vegan diet had a lower energy intake and macronutrient intake (protein, carbohydrate and fat). Intake of other micronutrients was also lower including vitamin A and vitamin B12.
Proper nutrition offers one of the most effective and least costly ways to decrease the burden of many diseases and their associated risk factors. The data from this study will give useful insight into short term vegan diets and micronutrient intake and status.
Our previous research suggested that nutritional planning is particularly important when making dietary changes to ensure a good level of nutrient intake is maintained. Expanding our research with more people will give us a better understanding of how micronutrient intake is affected and what extra nutritional support someone undertaking a short-term vegan diet may need.
The team are looking to recruit participants who will be adopting a vegan diet during January, aged 18-60. They will be asked to complete two online questionnaires about their diet and eating habits and keep two four-day food diaries. There is also the option for participants to provide a urine sample.
The data will be analysed and compared against Reference Nutrient Intakes (RNIs). These are best estimates of the amount of a nutrient that is enough or more than enough for roughly 97% of the UK population. People should be aiming to consume almost 100% of RNI for each micronutrient to prevent deficiencies.
Dr Welham continues: “Making a dramatic change to your diet, whatever that may be is going to impact the intake of nutrients. By understanding what happens with micronutrient intake in a short-term vegan diet we can see the areas where additional nutritional support may be required, which can be gained from adding certain types of foods or increasing the intake of certain foods"
With good planning and an understanding of what makes up a healthy, balanced diet, you can get all the nutrients your body needs whatever dietary preference you choose.
If you are interested in taking part email micronutrientgroup@nottingham.ac.uk
Story credits
More information is available from Dr Simon Welham on simon.welham@nottingham.ac.uk or Jane Icke, Media Relations Manager for the Faculty of Science at the University of Nottingham, on +44 (0)115 951 5751 or jane.icke@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
More news…