Tragic death of vegan influencer Zhanna Samsonova sparks concerns over extreme diets

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

vegan influencer, Zhanna Samsonova, popularly known as Zhanna D'Art on social media, has reportedly passed away due to starvation after adhering to a raw vegan diet for years. The news has raised concerns about the potential dangers of extreme dietary practices. The Russian national had been promoting raw foods on her social media platforms, attracting a considerable following.

Her journey with an all-raw vegan diet lasted for over a decade, as documented in her Instagram posts. Friends and acquaintances had observed a decline in her health, expressing worry about her well-being. During a tour in Southeast Asia, Samsonova sought medical treatment, but it was sadly too late.

According to a close friend, she had been exclusively consuming giant, sweet jackfruit, and the pungent durian fruit for the past seven years. Despite her apparent enthusiasm about the diet, signs of exhaustion and physical distress were evident during her travels. A friend who lived near Samsonova revealed, «I feared finding her lifeless body every morning.

I encouraged her to seek help, but she was adamant.» Eventually, her mother mentioned a «cholera-like infection» as a suspected cause of death, but the official reason was not disclosed. However, her mother believed the extreme vegan diet had taken a toll on her daughter's body and mental well-being. Zhanna Samsonova used her social media presence to advocate for her raw diet doctrine, passionately sharing her transformational experiences.