Neubewertung der DGE-Position zu veganer Ernährung. Positionspapier der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Ernährung e. V. (DGE)

In this position paper on the reassessment of the DGE position on vegan nutrition, the other target dimensions of a more sustainable diet (environment, animal welfare and social issues) are considered alongside new data on health. An umbrella review and a supplementary systematic review were carried out to identify relevant publications, and other publications were taken into account. The consideration of the target dimensions of animal welfare and social issues shows that the previous approaches to assessing the impact of diets in this context are not yet sufficiently established and are not applied comprehensively. Therefore, only the target dimensions of health and environment are included in the position. Compared to other diets, potential advantages and disadvantages for health have been identified for a vegan diet.
For the healthy adult general population, in addition to other diets, a vegan diet can also represent a health-promoting diet, provided that a vitamin B12 supplement is taken , a balanced, well-planned selection of foods is made, and that the potentially critical nutrients are taken in sufficient quantities (if necessary also through other nutritional supplements).
For the vulnerable groups of children, adolescents, pregnant women, breastfeeding women and senior citizens, the DGE cannot make a clear recommendation for or against a vegan diet due to the continued limited data. Due to the risk of potential, sometimes irreversible consequences if inadequately implemented, a vegan diet in vulnerable groups requires particularly well-founded nutritional skills. Nutritional advice from qualified specialists is therefore strongly recommended for these groups.
A vegan diet is considered to be extremely environmentally friendly and is a recommended measure for reducing the environmental impact of the food system. Taking into account both health and environmental aspects, a diet with a significant reduction in animal products is recommended.