Rethinking veganism: Challenging health misconceptions and disinformation in popular discourse

Context: The vegan diet, despite its widely recognized benefits, remains surrounded by numerous myths suggesting a potentially adverse impact on the health of specific population groups.Objective: This article addresses current and controversial topics related to plant-based nutrition.The aim is to broaden the knowledge of the scientifically validated benefits of plant-based diets.Data sources: A systematic search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar, covering the period since 2021 and some applicable articles outside that range.Data extraction: The aspects examined included the risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, the impact on male sexual health, the adequacy of energy and macronutrient intake in athletes, and the effects on fetal development.Results: A balanced vegan diet supplemented with vitamin D and other key micronutrients supports bone health.Recent studies in male sexual health suggest potential benefits such as improved testosterone levels and reduced erectile dysfunction risk.Although research on veganism in pregnancy remains limited, professional dietary guidance can help mitigate risks related to micronutrient deficiencies.Conclusions: Despite existing concerns about the impact of a vegan diet in all groups examined, no clear health risks associated with following a vegan diet have been identified.A well-balanced vegan diet is considered safe for the aforementioned population groups, but it still requires further research.Educating people about the advantages and disadvantages of a plant-based diet is crucial.