Vegan and successful: Hamilton, Williams, Djokovic and Co.
Without animal protein to peak performance, is that possible? Vegan athletes like Lewis Hamilton, Venus Williams or Novak Djokovic show it off.
by SID
last edit: Nov 22, 2019, 07:56 am
For Lewis Hamilton is the abandonment of animal products is not a matter of desire, the best Formula 1 driver in the world is rather about survival. "The vegan diet is the only way to really save our planet," wrote the now six-time world champion on Instagram. In 2017, the Mercedes driver changed his diet and his performance did not hurt.
"What humanity is doing to the world ... The amount of greenhouse gases produced by the masses of cows is just unbelievable, it's said that it's more than all the cars and flights together, it's crazy, I do not really want that support, "Hamilton told the BBC.
The reasons for a change in diet are manifold. Tennis Olympic gold medalist Venus Williams, for example, refrains from meat, dairy and Co. due to an autoimmune disease. "I wanted to get my performance on the court and after I started, I fell in love with the concept of providing my body with raw vegan food in the best possible way "Williams told Health Magazine.
The 16-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic has a different drive, but does not like the label "vegan". "I'm plant-based, and I think that's why I'm regenerating so well, I do not have any allergies anymore and I like that," said the tennis world ranking second.
A study by the University of Leipzig suggests that high-performance athletes are not disadvantaged by a purely vegan diet. However, this must be balanced and does not come completely without supplements. The vitamin B12 receives the body in sufficient quantity only from animal food, here must be remedied with preparations.
Many converters report that they are recovering faster. However, this effect is not scientifically proven. "It's nonsense that plant protein helps the body regenerate differently in some way," said Professor Dr. David C. Nieman in the magazine Healthline. At the Appalachian State University in North Carolina, USA, the scientist is investigating the recovery of athletes after 90 minutes of heavy exercise, either with pea or whey proteins.
"With a higher intensity of training, you produce more free radicals and other by-products that can cause inflammation in the body, and a vegan, plant-based diet that is rich in antioxidants reduces inflammation," says Nieman, explaining the positive effect many athletes have on post-mortem Feel change.
The American is convinced that you can always achieve the positive effects, if you eat healthy and balanced, it does not necessarily have to be vegan. Animal products are therefore not necessary for high performance in professional sports, but they probably do not hurt either.