In recent years, Veganism and vegetarianism have gained traction around the worldand Mexico is no exception. These lifestyles, which go beyond diet and extend to fashion, cosmetics and ethics with animals, they are increasingly popular, especially among young people. To check how the Mexican press portrays these movements, a recent study carried out by researcher María-Luisa Azpíroz, published in “Revista de Alimentación Contemporánea y Desarrollo Regional”, set out to analyze the arguments and sources that the Mexican media used in 2022 to talk about veganism and vegetarianism.
The study reviewed 67 pieces from 14 Mexican newspapers and found that coverage of veganism was more prominent than that of vegetarianism: 82 arguments were found referring to veganism compared to 35 referring to vegetarianism. This despite the fact that Vegetarianism is an easier type of diet to adoptand in fact more adopted: 3% of the population is vegetarian, compared to 2% who are veganin the case of Mexico in 2022. In this regard, it should be noted that there is a greater association with veganism as a philosophy of life, rather than a mere diet, so the debate on the matter is greater.
The most frequent topics discussed by the Mexican press when talking about veganism and vegetarianism were health, sustainability and animal welfare. In general, a fairly positive picture was painted of these movements, highlighting the health and environmental benefits.
The most common arguments revolved around the idea that a Vegan or vegetarian diet can be healthy and help in the prevention of diseases such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, the aesthetic and sports performance benefits associated with these diets were mentioned. It is interesting to note that many of the statements come from celebrities, often foreigners, as in the case of Ariana Grande and Lewis Hamiltonreflecting how public figures influence public perception.
Another central theme was the environmental impact of veganism and vegetarianism. The press highlighted how these diets can significantly reduce the carbon footprint, mainly due to the lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to meat production. This idea was supported by scientific data and the opinion of experts and activists in the area.
Regarding animal welfare, the media stressed that Adopting a vegan or vegetarian diet is one way to avoid cruelty to animals.
Celebrities like Paul McCartney and Eugenio Derbez were cited promoting these values.
A curious aspect that also emerged in the investigation was the economic issue. Some articles highlighted that being vegan or vegetarian it is not necessarily expensiveand These diets can even help save moneyespecially in times of inflation. In addition, it was discussed whether these types of diet are just a passing fad or whether they represent a profound cultural change. Although some see them as a fashion trend, others argue that they are a way of life with deep historical, philosophical and religious rootsas occurs in certain sectors of Hinduism and Buddhism.
The study revealed that the sources most cited in the articles correspond to the newspapers’ editorial staff, generally anonymous, followed by celebrities and, to a lesser extent, scientists and activists. This suggests that, although there is a growing interest in veganism and vegetarianism, public figures are often tapped to give weight to claimswhich limits the depth of scientific and social analysis offered to the public.
The coverage of veganism and vegetarianism in the Mexican press in 2022 was mostly positive. This is in complete contrast to previous press studies from Anglo-Saxon countries (from 2011 to 2022), where these movements were often ridiculed or presented as extremist. Such coverage would be attributable, according to its authors, to the influence of prejudices and interest groups. It could be suggested that the Mexican press, on the other hand, has been influenced by the veganism “fashion” of celebrities and social networks in recent years. Behind this “fashion”, however, there are also businesses and interest groups.
In Mexico, Veganism seems to be gaining ground, not only as a diet, but as a philosophy of life that advocates health, sustainability and respect for animals. For those who are interested in adopting a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle, or simply want to understand more about these movements, It is important to seek balanced information based on scientific evidence. The influence of celebrities is undeniable, but in the end, the decision to change your diet should be based on a full understanding of its benefits and challenges.
María-Luisa Azpíroz is a professor-researcher at the School of Communication of the Universidad Panamericana, Mexico campus. He teaches the subjects of Contemporary Universal Environment and Geopolitics. His research focuses on public diplomacy and sustainable development.
*MAGAZINE: Social Studies. Journal of Contemporary Food and Regional Development, Vol. 34, n. 63, January-June 2024. *DOI: https://doi.org/10.24836/es.v34i63.1423