Vegan raw food influencer Zhanna D'Art dead reportedly due to starvation
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A 39-year-old vegan influencer, Zhanna Samsonova, known as Zhanna D'Art on social media, has reportedly died of starvation.
The Russian national had been advocating for an all-raw vegan diet through her social media accounts. She has been following the diet and lifestyle for over a decade. Her death comes as a tragedy to the online vegan community because she used the platform to spread her beliefs about food.
According to reports from New York Post, Samsonova passed away on July 21 after seeking medical attention during her tour in Southeast Asia.
The late influencer had been following an all-raw vegan diet for over a decade, as revealed through her Instagram posts. Disturbing accounts from her friends paint a picture of her deteriorating health. One friend shared, "A few months ago, in Sri Lanka, she already looked exhausted, with swollen legs oozing lymph... When I saw her in Phuket, I was horrified."
Concerned for her well-being, her friends encouraged her to seek medical treatment, but she did not follow through. Her mother stated that Samsonova died of a "cholera-like infection," though the exact cause of death has not been officially disclosed. Her mother, however, believes that the extreme exhaustion and stress on her body due to her all-vegan diet may have played a significant role.
Reports indicate that the influencer's diet was extremely restrictive, consisting mainly of sweet jackfruit and durian, a unique and pungent fruit known for its custard-like meat. Her friend revealed that for the last seven years, this had been her primary food source.
Samsonova had been vocal about her raw diet journey on her social media platforms, praising the transformation she experienced both physically and mentally. "I see my body and mind transform every day," she said. "I love my new me and never move on to the habits that I used to use."
The tragic news of Zhanna Samsonova's passing has left the vegan community in shock, shedding light on the potential risks of extreme dietary practices. It has also raised concerns among health experts about the importance of balanced and sustainable eating habits.