Going Guilt-Free

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According to Mercy for Animals, animal agriculture accounts for two-thirds of all fresh water consumption in the world today.

thisisinsider.com reports that the American Heart Association recently stated that an animal-based, high-protein diet led to a 50 per cent higher risk of heart disease, compared to just 17 per cent from a plant-based high-protein diet. Other research has linked red meat specifically to cancers, diabetes and stroke.

Systematic reviews suggest those consuming a vegetarian or vegan diet are less likely to be obese.

It’s no surprise, then, that foodrevolutionnetwork.org says there’s been a 600 per cent increase in people identifying as vegan in the US in the last three years. According to a report by research firm GlobalData, only one per cent of US consumers claimed to be vegan in 2014. In 2017, that number rose to six per cent.

In the UK, the number of people identifying as vegan has increased by 350 per cent, compared to a decade ago, according to recent research commissioned by the Vegan Society in partnership with Vegan Life magazine.
Many, such as racing driver Lewis Hamilton and recording artist Ne-Yo, have been prompted to change their lifestyle after watching documentaries such as What the Health and Earthlings both of which deal with issues that include animal welfare and human health.

In the coming pages we feature a cross-section of women from across Bahraini society who share their inspirations for becoming vegan or vegetarian and answer questions on their lifestyle. We also chat to a pioneering chef who is servicing this growing market and round up a few surprising meat-free alternatives for you to try.