▲The vegan lifestyle dates back to the 1940s, according to The Vegan Society.

▲What are the actual differences between the two lifestyles?

▲Vegetarians cut meat out of their diets for various reasons, as stated by Thought Co.

▲Nutritional vegetarians stop eating meat for reasons associated with health and well-being.

▲Ethical vegetarians stop eating meat in protest to the mistreatment suffered by animals or because of religious reasons.

▲As defined by The Vegan Society, vegans eliminate all animal products, whether it be in their diet or in the products they use and wear.

▲According to a publication by Harvard Medical School, studies show that a vegetarian-based lifestyle can prevent certain illnesses.

▲The publication points out that there is evidence that vegetarians have a lower risk of cardiac problems and even death.

▲A good tip to avoid heart-related disease is to eat a diet rich in fiber and greens, which helps balance sugar levels in the blood.

▲Another valuable tip is to eat nuts as they have a low glycemic index and contain antioxidants and healthy fats. Just don't overdue it as they are quite fatty!

▲According to Harvard, many studies suggest that a diet based on fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of certain cancers.

▲There is evidence that vegetarians have a lower risk of cancer than people who consume meat, although the difference isn't huge.

▲A diet based on veggies can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

▲According to an interview with Dr. Michael Klaper published on the site Live Kindly, eight out of the ten deadliest illnesses in the US are related to diet.

▲According to the doctor, illnesses like obesity, clogged arteries, hypertension, diabetes, and asthma can be the result of meat and dairy consumption.

▲According to Dr. Klaper, the solution to avoiding this type of disease is adopting a vegan diet and cutting out animal products.

▲It is very important to be responsible when it comes to your diet as drastic lifestyle changes can end up causing health risks.

▲Harvard Medical School pointed out that a poor vegetarian diet can result in nutrient deficiencies.

▲As vegetable proteins are different from those found in animals, vegans and vegetarians need to eat a balanced diet to ensure they are consuming enough protein.

▲This vitamin is found just in animal products. Vegetarians have greater options for consuming the vitamin, but vegans may need to supplement.

▲The presence of phytic acid in foods such as whole grains, seeds, beans, and legumes can make it more difficult to absorb zinc.

▲The publication also points out that diets excluding fish and eggs are poor in fatty acids.

▲Specialists affirm that it is possible to maintain a healthy and balanced vegetarian or vegan diet, as shown by the Daily Mail.

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If you're considering changing your lifestyle and adopting a healthier diet, it's a good idea to consult with a nutritionist who can help find the right diet for you.

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One type of cancer that can be avoided by reducing red meat consumption is colon cancer, according to the publication.

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For many, it can be difficult to stop eating meat or completely cut out any and all animal products. For others, it's a philosophy of life.

More and more people are adopting the lifestyle of going vegan or vegetarian. What are the differences between the two? Are there health risks associated with radically changing eating habits? What benefits does this lifestyle shift really bring? Let's find out in the following gallery!

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Experts believe that vegetarian diets have existed since approximately 700 BCE, according to Health Line.

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From a nutritional perspective, the difference between vegetarians and vegans is that vegans don't consume any type of animal product, including dairy and eggs.

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In addition to the aforementioned illnesses, a vegan diet can help prevent the development of arthritis, according to the Daily Mail.