Arsenal’s Héctor Bellerín: “I realised I didn’t really need to eat meat any more”
In April, we made a short video celebrating Arsenal defender Héctor Bellerín’s decision to go plant-based last year.
Bellerín had stated:
“For me the most important thing is that inflammation in my body after games and the speed that my body recovers compared to before. It doesn’t just make a difference in your body but I strongly believe that with what we’re doing to the earth paying back the earth too.”
Now, The Sun has featured an update on the right-back, stating that he has “never felt better since adopting a vegan diet last year.” Noting that he has “joined a growing list of sports stars” who “no longer rely on animals for protein,” the article focuses on how the Spanish international’s form and fitness have greatly improved.
Bellerín stated:
“As I was getting older, I was eating more healthily and reached the point where I realised I didn’t really need to eat meat any more. My original goal was to try it for three weeks but the improvement I felt in my body was so massive that I decided to stick with it.”
He added:
“The recovery in my muscles after games has been noticeable and the long-term injuries I’ve had before have started to heal way quicker. So why change something that is working for me?”
Bellerín also stated that he spoke to other vegans and plant-based athletes before making the change:
“I spoke to other people involved in the vegan movement and decided to take the step last year. I learned a lot about becoming a vegan and asked other athletes like David Haye.”
Although the football player’s family initially “didn’t really understand” his decision, Bellerín states they have since “ditched a bit of meat from their own diets,” and adds:
“Most people seem to feel better when they do it. And if it makes them feel better, I’m also happy.”
We have good reason to believe that Héctor Bellerín will make an appearance on our Top Vegan Athletes of 2018 list!
Photo Credit: www.givemesport.com
[…] this week, we wrote about Arsenal defender Héctor Bellerín’s vegan lifestyle and how it drastically improved his health. Now, Chris Smalling of Manchester United has joined the list of vegan football […]