New research finds that many men are going vegan following a milestone birthday as of way of reshaping their health. The study was commissioned by Bupa Health Clinics, an arm of international healthcare group Bupa that serves more than 32 million people around the world.
The research surveyed 3,000 participants in Britain and found that many adults begin feeling older and worrying about their health upon hitting ages like 40 or 50. Almost half (47 percent) took action at these birthdays to implement a “positive lifestyle change,” the research said.
A notable number — 24 percent — of men went vegan during these decade turning points, often being motivated by a desire to better their health. Other changes included quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, signing up for athletic events, and making more doctor’s appointments.
The survey found that women were more likely to feel older before men. Males typically made the most health and lifestyle shifts at the 40-year mark, while women commonly made changes at 30 years old.
Jake Williams, Lifestyle Health Adviser at Bupa Health Clinics, explained, “Entering a new decade is one of many triggers that can prompt us to think about our health. In our clinics, we often see customers coming in for a general health check shortly before, or after turning, an age ending with a zero.”
Williams added, “While taking stock of our health is something to be embraced and encouraged, it’s important we don’t ignore our health for the other nine years.”
Increasingly, a plant-based diet is being linked to boosted health. A study review published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that following a plant-based diet is more effective at combatting heart disease than vitamin and mineral supplements. Another study found that eating vegan foods can reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems, and earlier this year, the World Health Organization recommended that adults and children cut down on saturated fats found in meat, dairy, and eggs.
These findings also shake up stereotypes that the vegan population is frequently dominated by females. Statistics from this year’s Veganuary showed that 84 percent of the 168,542 Veganuary participants were women. However, the lifestyle is becoming more popular among men. In 2017, just ten percent of Veganuary participants were men. The number increased to 14 percent the following year. And in June, the world’s leading men’s lifestyle magazine Men’s Health found that 20 percent of its readers were interested in trying a vegan diet.
Image Credit: Highlyawake/Instagram
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