Russian Vegan Influencer Dies of Starvation After Following Raw Vegan Diet for Years
A 39-year-old vegan influencer named Zhanna Samsonova, who promoted raw foods on her social media accounts, has reportedly died of starvation after years of subsisting entirely on a raw vegan diet. According to the New York Post, Samsonova, who went by Zhanna D’Art online, passed away on July 21 after finally seeking medical treatment during a tour in Southeast Asia.
Samsonova had been following an all-raw vegan diet for at least a decade, as mentioned in her Instagram post. Concerns about her health had been raised earlier when she appeared exhausted and had swollen legs during a visit to Sri Lanka. Her friend, who noticed her deteriorating condition, said, “When I saw her in Phuket, I was horrified. I lived one floor above her and every day I feared finding her lifeless body in the morning. I convinced her to seek treatment, but she didn’t make it.”
While the official cause of death has not been disclosed, Samsonova’s mother attributed it to a “cholera-like infection.” However, she also expressed her belief that her daughter had succumbed to exhaustion and the stress placed on her body by the all-vegan diet.
According to a close friend, Samsonova had been consuming only giant sweet jackfruit and durian, a spiky fruit known for its custardy meat and strong odor, for the last seven years. The friend mentioned that Samsonova had spoken highly of her restrictive eating regimen, saying, “I see my body and mind transform every day. I love my new me and never move on to the habits that I used to use.”
Samsonova used her social media accounts to spread the doctrine of her raw diet, often sharing photos and videos of her meals and promoting its benefits. However, her tragic death has sparked a conversation about the potential dangers of extreme dietary restrictions.
This incident serves as a reminder that it is important to approach any diet, especially extreme ones, with caution and to prioritize one’s health and well-being above all else.