Perhaps the name of Dr. David Jenkins (Canada) does not tell you anything, but it was he who investigated the effect of various foods on blood sugar levels and introduced the concept of “glycemic index”. The vast majority of modern diets, the recommendations of national health associations in the United States and European countries, as well as recommendations for diabetics, are based on the results of his research.
His research has had the biggest impact on millions of people around the world who are striving to become healthier and lose weight. Currently, Dr. Jenkins shares new ideas about health with the global community – he is now a vegan and preaches such a lifestyle.
David Jenkins this year became the first Canadian citizen to receive the Bloomberg Manulife Prize for his contribution to promoting a healthy and active lifestyle. In a response speech, the doctor said that he completely switched to a diet that excludes meat, fish and dairy products, both for the sake of health and for environmental reasons.
Numerous studies confirm that a balanced and rational vegan diet leads to serious positive changes in health. Vegans are generally leaner than other dieters, have lower cholesterol levels, normal blood pressure, and a lower risk of cancer and diabetes. Vegans also consume significantly more healthy fiber, magnesium, folic acid, vitamins C and E, iron, while their diet is much lower in calories, saturated fat and cholesterol.
Dr. Jenkins switched to a vegan diet primarily for health reasons, but he also emphasizes that this lifestyle has a beneficial effect on the environment.
“Human health is inextricably linked to the health of our planet, and what we eat has a huge impact on it,” says David Jenkins.
In the doctor’s homeland, Canada, about 700 million animals are killed each year for food. Meat production is one of the main sources of greenhouse gases in both Canada and the United States. These factors, and the fact that animals raised for slaughter endure terrible suffering throughout their lives, were reason enough for Dr. Jenkins to call a vegan diet the best choice for humans.