Vegan influencer dies of starvation after following only-vegan diet for last 10 years

Vartha Bharati | 02-08-2023 | 15:22:00 IST

Zhanna D'Art (Instagram)

A 39-year-old vegan influencer, Zhanna Samsonova, known as Zhanna D'Art on social media, has reportedly passed away due to complications from her raw vegan diet. According to reports from the New York Post and local media outlets, Samsonova, a Russian national, had been promoting raw foods on her social media platforms for years.

Samsonova, who followed an all-raw vegan diet for at least a decade, reportedly died on July 21, after seeking medical treatment during a tour in Southeast Asia. A close friend expressed concern over her deteriorating health, stating, "A few months ago, in Sri Lanka, she already looked exhausted, with swollen legs oozing lymph. They sent her home to seek treatment. However, she ran away again. When I saw her in Phuket, I was horrified."

According to Samsonova's mother, her daughter passed away from a "cholera-like infection," although the official cause of death was not disclosed. Her mother believes that the rigorous all-vegan diet may have contributed to her exhaustion and the stress placed on her body.

For the past seven years, the influencer had reportedly limited her diet to just two fruits, the giant, sweet jackfruit, and the durian, a spiky fruit known for its custardy meat and pungent smell. Despite her restrictive eating regimen, Samsonova enthusiastically described her transformation, stating, "I see my body and mind transform every day. I love my new me, and never move on to the habits that I used to use."

Zhanna Samsonova used her social media presence to spread her raw diet doctrine, advocating for the benefits of a raw vegan lifestyle. However, her tragic passing has raised concerns among the online community about the potential risks associated with extreme dietary practices.

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