Scientist Does Self-Experiment to Compare Vegan and Omnivorous Diets

Three years ago, Robinson’s brief relationship with a part-time animal rights activist ignited his interest in veganism. Although that romantic endeavor didn’t last, his commitment to veganism did. Robinson pondered whether he was depriving himself of culinary pleasure and potentially impacting his mental health, as some studies suggested. To find answers, he conducted a unique self-experiment, the results of which were recently published in Physiology and Behaviour.

Robinson’s experiment spanned several months, divided into two phases. In the first phase, he adopted veganism for a month (Veganuary) and meticulously recorded his daily activities, food intake, and emotions. In the subsequent month, he reverted to a non-vegan diet, again documenting his experiences. The second phase reversed the order, starting with two months of non-veganism, followed by veganism. Robinson also assessed his alcohol consumption, exercise habits, and eating out during both phases.

Robinson’s experiment yielded clear quantitative results. During the vegan months, he observed a decrease in body weight and waist circumference. In contrast, during the non-vegan months, he gained weight. However, his reported daily enjoyment of food remained nearly identical between the two diets. Additionally, his weekly recordings of depression and anxiety symptoms showed no significant differences between the vegan and non-vegan periods.

Beyond the numbers, Robinson’s self-experiment provided qualitative insights into the social aspects of veganism. He noticed that friends and family seemed more enthusiastic about spending time with him when non-vegan food was involved. The vegan diet acted as a deterrent to unnecessary snacking and indulging in unhealthy treats, which aligned with the well-established fact that vegan diets tend to be lower in saturated fat.

Robinson’s experiment has its limitations. It represents the experience of a single participant and may not be fully generalizable. Additionally, the study was relatively short-term. Nevertheless, his findings suggest that veganism may influence body weight, without significantly impacting the enjoyment of food or mental health.

Robinson also raises an important point about the limitations of comparing vegans and non-vegans in studies. Differences between these groups often stem from various factors beyond diet and may not be causal. It is crucial to interpret such findings with caution.

In the end, Eric Robinson’s self-experiment led him to a resolute decision. He found that the potential health benefits of veganism, coupled with environmental and ethical considerations, outweighed any minor inconveniences he encountered. Nine months after concluding his experiment, Robinson remains a committed vegan.