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Due to starvation and exhaustion, Zhanna Samsonova, a media influencer of raw veganism, has passed away. How did this happen? What were the details of the diet she followed? And what are the associated risks?
Russian influencer Zana died at the age of 39, with The Independent reporting that her friends and family stated she had “died of starvation and exhaustion” after exclusively living on a “completely raw vegetarian diet.”
Her mother stated that over the last four years, Samsonova had been consuming “raw” vegetarian food, exclusively consisting of “fruits, sunflower seed sprouts, and fruit juices.”
Death by Starvation The influencer’s mother attributed her daughter’s death to a “cholera-like infection.”
The official cause of Mrs. Samsonova’s death has not been disclosed, but local media reported that the influencer was touring Southeast Asia when she passed away in Malaysia on July 21st.
One of Samsonova’s friends revealed that she “looked exhausted, her legs were swollen” when they met in Sri Lanka a few months back.
Samsonova had slightly over 16,000 followers on Instagram and over 20 million views on TikTok.
In the past, cases of people dying due to raw food diets have been recorded.
Last year, a vegetarian mother was sentenced to life imprisonment for the death of her 18-month-old son due to malnutrition, as he was living on a diet of raw fruits and vegetables.
Extreme Vegan Style Samsonova’s friends expressed concern about her “extreme vegetarianism” to local media. “Mrs. Samsonova’s gradual starvation was happening right before our eyes, but she believed everything was fine,” one of them said.
Another friend added, “I lived one floor above her, and every day I feared finding her lifeless body in the morning. I persuaded her to seek medical help, but it didn’t work.”
Her friends also reported that she had refused medical treatment before her death, describing how she was bedridden and had difficulty walking, according to local media.
They also claimed that she hadn’t consumed water for 6 years, choosing instead to drink fruit and vegetable juices.
Samsonova’s death has shocked many and shed light on what some describe as “extreme diets” that come with significant health risks.
What Diet Did Samsonova Follow? The unfortunate fate of the deceased Russian influencer raises questions about whether adopting a raw vegan diet is a wise choice and serves as a reminder not to blindly follow diets.
Samsonova followed the raw vegetarian diet, which, according to nutritionist Avni Cole in a statement to Healthshots, is a type of vegetarian diet consisting exclusively of raw foods, focusing on consuming unprocessed and uncooked fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and grains.
What Are the Risks of a Raw Vegan Diet? Malnutrition A raw vegan diet can lead to potential nutrient deficiencies, particularly in vitamin B12, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, and proteins. Vitamin B12 is only found in animal products or fortified foods, and deficiency can cause blood and neurological problems.
Digestive Issues Some individuals may experience bloating and gas when transitioning to a raw vegan diet, and the high fiber content can lead to gastrointestinal problems.
Caloric Deficiency A raw vegan diet limits certain foods, including grains, legumes, and cooked foods. These restrictions can make it challenging to achieve a balanced diet and an adequate calorie intake.
Lack of Calcium A raw food diet poses a risk of calcium and vitamin D deficiency, which are essential for strong bones.
Despite the potential negatives of Samsonova’s dietary choices, many of her devoted followers refused to believe that her eating habits had led to her death, instead asserting that she was killed by chemicals present in the fruits she consumed.
Samsonova’s family is awaiting a medical report and an accurate cause of death certificate.
