Veganism, once seen as fringe, has well and truly gone mainstream. And it’s not just the estimated 1.2 million American and 500,000 vegan Aussies who are feeling the upsides; some of entertainment’s biggest names including Benedict Cumberbatch, Miley Cyrus, Zac Efron, Ellen DeGeneres and Joaquin Phoenix all laud the benefits of animal-friendly cuisine.
The reasons for this growth in popularity are numerous. Many make the switch in order to combat the effects of intensive farming or animal cruelty, others to reduce their carbon footprint and detract from the threat of climate change. Some simply seek a healthier lifestyle. But can a vegan diet really be good for us, or is the hype masking some genuine downsides?