Actors go through massive transformations for their roles. Be it losing kilos of weight to sitting in the makeup chair for hours before they shoot a 10-minute scene, actors dedicate a lot to their craft. In a recent interview with ITV, Jeff Goldblum opened up about how his lifestyle changed after filming ‘Wicked’.

Talking about his character, Goldblum recalls how Oz sacrifices his integrity and facilitates animal cruelty. He goes on to explain his wrath on the munchkins and negative propaganda.

‘It’s changed me’

Revealing more about the role, Goldblum shared insight into the filming process and revealed that it has changed him. “It’s changed me,” he remarked and shared, “After doing this movie, we talked about animal cruelty, I stopped eating meat and poultry.” With upcoming festivities like Thanksgiving and Christmas, he joked, he was looking for alternatives other than the usual non-vegetarian feasts. Cohosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shepherd shared that he opted for a “nut roast of some sort, chestnut, maybe!”

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“I’m happy,” he shared and added, “We need the world to work for everybody on Earth and every creature, too.” This change in diet has been triggered by the changes he went through during the filming, not for the film itself. He joined the veggie gang, alongside his co-stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who have been vegan since 2013.

How veganism impacts the body

This plant-based diet has often been strongly associated with a lower risk of cardiometabolic diseases, as per a study published in the National Library of Medicine. It is also associated with heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and certain cancers. As per the Atul Bali and Rooopa Naik study, vegans typically exhibit lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and healthier body composition compared to omnivores.

The Royal Society of Chemistry review article also suggested that vegans tend to have a lower BMI and body weight, which makes it an effective way for short-term to medium-term weight loss. Healthline suggested that the vegan diet also facilitates a lower heart rate, manages hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and overall improves metabolic function.

On the other hand, vegans show an increased risk of fractures, especially hip and leg, partly related to lower BMI and potential deficiencies in calcium and vitamin D. Other deficiencies include crucial vitamins like B12, iron, zinc, and protein. Given the potential shortage of Vitamin D, veganism might also impact one’s mental health, triggering depressive symptoms, as per certain studies.

Medical reports, experts, and studies have always emphasised the importance of a balanced diet. One which focuses on providing the human body with an equal share of nutrients, NHS suggests several foods which promote healthy eating as a vegan. Some of the suggestions include – variety of fruits, potato-based diet, fortified dairy like soy milk, beans, pulses, and plenty of fluids.