Vegan diet: utilization of dietary supplements and fortified foods

Peer-reviewed | Manuscript received: 25.09.2017 | Revision accepted: 06.04.2018

An internet-based survey

Introduction

There has been a clear trend towards the adoption of vegetarian/vegan diets in recent years. Estimates reveal that between 3.7 and 10.0% of the population in Germany were vegetarian and between 0.7 and 1.1% were vegan in the years 2014/15 [1–3]. Current data points to 1.6% (corresponds to 1.3 million) vegans in Germany [4].

The motivation behind the adoption of a vegan diet is often multifaceted. Many people become vegan for ethical/animal rights reasons [5]. But health and environmental motives are also determining factors for the adoption of a vegan diet [6–8].Some epidemiological studies show that vegans are less likely to suffer from diabetes mellitus type 2, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and, in part, cancer, in comparison to omnivores [9–13]. Vegans are more likely to achieve the recommended levels of many micronutrients than omnivores thanks to an increased consumption of plant foods. Including vitamins B₁, B₆, C, E, folate and niacin, as well as the minerals calcium and magnesium [14–17].

Abstract

The number of people following a vegan diet in Germany has been growing for several years. In this context, the question arises as to whether this group is guaranteed an adequate supply of nutrients. Vitamin B₁₂ is a particularly critical nutrient for vegans. Studies to date have enabled us to draw only insufficient conclusions on the use of dietary supplements by people following a vegan diet. The objective of this study was therefore to survey the use of dietary supplements, and the use of vitamin B₁₂ in particular, among vegans by means of an online questionnaire (chance sample, n = 1,924). Of those surveyed, 83.9% stated that they consumed vitamin supplements and 37.2% (of 1,924) consumed foods fortified with vitamins. This most frequently concerned vitamin B₁₂ (81.5% and 27.3% respectively) and vitamin D (41.4% and 13.1% respectively). Further analysis showed that the proportion of vitamin B₁₂ users rose in accordance with the level of education. Dietary supplements containing minerals and foods fortified with minerals were consumed by 20.3% and 19.9% of respondents respectively. Magnesium (9.9%) and iron (8.9%) were most frequently mentioned in connection with dietary supplements and calcium (16.7%) and iodine (4.2%) in connection with fortified foods.

Keywords: vegan diet, micronutrients, vitamins, minerals, dietary supplements, fortified foods, supplementation, vitamin B₁₂

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