Participants on the Vegan Influencer Dies Reddit thread offered their sympathies and exchanged their recollections of the influencer. She had been a leading supporter of unprocessed veganism.
The vegan community grieves the departure of Zhanna D’art, a notable raw food influencer who died at 39 years old.
As reported, she perished from deprivation and fatigue in Malaysia, where she had been on a tour of southeast Asia.
For the last four years, Zhanna survived exclusively on a “completely raw vegan diet,” consuming fruits, sunflower seed sprouts, fruit smoothies, and juices.
Her extreme dietary preferences raised concerns among friends and family.
The official cause of her demise has not been revealed, but her mother attributed it to a “cholera-like infection.”
Regrettably, this is not the initial occurrence of someone perishing from an extreme raw foods diet.
A life devoted to raw veganism
Zhanna Samsonova was a well-known promoter, known as Zhanna D’art in the vegan community.
She has a significant following on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
Her journey as an advocate for raw food began four years ago, when she embraced a diet consisting solely of unprocessed vegan foods.
Fruits, sunflower seed sprouts, fruit smoothies, and juices became her primary sources of sustenance.
She believed in the therapeutic properties of raw veganism and actively conveyed her beliefs to her followers.
Tragedy occurs in Malaysia
During her southeast Asia tour, Zhanna’s health declined due to a “cholera-like infection.” This condition eventually led to her untimely passing.
Friends and family voiced worries about her well-being. Some of them observed signs of fatigue and swollen legs oozing lymph.
Despite their attempts to encourage her to pursue treatment, Zhanna chose to continue her journey. Sadly, she didn’t survive the ordeal.
Vanishing from Social Media
In the weeks prior to her demise, Zhanna had been absent from social media.
Her last Instagram post showcased a video of the Durian fruit, a delicacy she relished during her time in Thailand.
In the caption, she expressed her fondness for the fruit and the happiness it brought to her life.
However, her online presence declined, sparking conjecture about her well-being.
Two weeks before her demise, she posted an Instagram story with an enigmatic message about life’s meaning.
A message to the Vegan community
Zhanna’s passing serves as a poignant reminder of the potential risks associated with extreme diets, even those advocating for health and wellness.
While the vegan lifestyle can be enriching and nourishing when properly balanced, extreme practices can have severe consequences.
It is crucial for individuals to consult with healthcare professionals and nutrition experts to ensure they are meeting their dietary needs adequately.
A Woeful Parallel
Zhanna D’art’s case draws unfortunate parallels to a similar incident involving a vegan mother in Florida.
Last year, Sheila O’Leary was sentenced to life imprisonment for the malnutrition death of her 18-month-old son, Ezra.
The child was fed a diet of raw fruits and vegetables and suffered from severe malnourishment, weighing only 17 pounds at the time of his passing.
These cases highlight the importance of responsible dietary choices and the potential dangers of extreme practices.
In the loving memory of Zhanna
Some participants on the Vegan Influencer Dies Reddit thread discussed the potential risks of extreme diets and the importance of seeking professional guidance when adopting such lifestyles.
Zhanna D’art’s passing has left a void in the vegan community, and her unique perspective on raw veganism will be missed.
As her followers come to terms with her death, they are reminded of the delicate balance between passion and cautiousness when it comes to dietary choices.
While her legacy lives on through her online presence and the memories she shared with her audience, her story serves as a cautionary tale for others contemplating extreme dietary paths.
