Health Status of Female and Male Vegetarian and Vegan Endurance Runners Compared to Omnivores—Results from the NURMI Study (Step 2) The health effects of vegetarian and vegan diet are well known.However, the data is only sparse in terms of their suitability for the particular nutritional needs of durable runners. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the health status of vegetarian (ver) and vegan runners (VGR) and compare them with a control group (OR).A total of 245 female and male leisure runners ended an online survey. The state of health was evaluated by measuring health-related indicators (body weight, mental health, chronic diseases and hypersensitivity reactions, drug intake) and health-related behavior (smoking habits, nutritional supplements, food selection, health care).There was 109 OR, 45 VER and 91 VGR. Significant differences were found for the following findings: the body weight for VER and VGR was lower than for OR, VGR had the highest food selections and VGR had the lowest prevalences of allergies. There was no connection between diet and mental health, medication taking, smoking habits, dietary supplements and health care.
These findings believe that compliance with vegetarian nutritional forms, in particular a vegan diet, is associated with good health and at least one equivalent alternative to a conventional diet for endurance athletes. The whole study can be found under https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/1/29