The claimWhat Lewis actually said
Hamilton described the change roughly four weeks after cutting animal products, listing energy, gym performance, skin and digestion as areas he felt improved. He framed it as a personal before-and-after, not as a study result, and has since talked about the switch mainly in environmental and ethical terms.
- pcrm.org: Lewis Hamilton in their own words
- Wang et al., Journal of the American Heart Association, 2015: meta-analysis of controlled trials found vegetarian diets lowered total and LDL cholesterol versus omnivorous diets.
- Satija et al., Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2017: healthful plant-based diets were associated with lower coronary heart disease risk, while unhealthful plant-based diets were associated with higher risk.
- Dinu et al., Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 2017: systematic review with meta-analysis of cohorts found vegetarian and vegan diets associated with lower ischemic heart disease incidence.
Why it mattersWhy this matters for longevity
Plant-based is one of the most common celebrity diet announcements, and the health claims attached to it usually outrun the research.
The cholesterol and heart findings are genuinely strong, so overselling the vague benefits risks discrediting the real ones.
Athletes switching away from animal protein need to plan intake deliberately, including B12, iron and total protein.
The evidenceWhat the science says
A meta-analysis of controlled trials found vegetarian diets lowered total and LDL cholesterol compared with omnivorous diets, and large prospective cohorts found that a healthful plant-based pattern was associated with lower coronary heart disease risk. Pooled observational data also link vegetarian and vegan patterns to lower ischemic heart disease incidence.
No good evidence supports the idea that removing animal foods raises energy, improves skin, or lets you lift more weight. Short-term feelings after any big diet change are confounded by the extra attention, calorie shifts, and the loss of specific trigger foods. Cohort data also show that unhealthful plant-based diets heavy in refined carbohydrates carry higher, not lower, heart disease risk.
TakeawayThe honest takeaway
The practical lesson
If you go plant-based, judge it on cholesterol and blood pressure numbers rather than on how you felt during the first month.
RelatedRelated habits
Each of these is a habit you can build on its own. Explore them through the Topics index.
SupplementsThe supplement angle: Vitamin B12, iron and total protein
Support a habit, do not replace one
People who remove all animal foods commonly need a reliable B12 source, and should watch iron and total daily protein. A clinician or dietitian can check bloodwork rather than guessing.
Supplements can support good habits. They do not replace sleep, movement, nutrition, or medical care. Talk with your healthcare provider before starting anything new.
This is educational commentary, not medical advice, and does not imply that Lewis Hamilton endorses, is affiliated with, or uses Winning Longevity or any product. We critique the claim and the evidence, not the person. Any direct quote is a placeholder until sourced. Talk with a qualified healthcare provider before changing your routine. See our health disclaimer.
