Hector Bellerin joins Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi in growing trend

Hector Bellerin has not been having the greatest of seasons so far, but could his latest routine help him get back to his best?

Hector Bellerin has turned vegan to aid his muscle recovery after games. Veganism is a growing diet which cuts out meat or animal products from one’s food and drink intake, it is known to have many health benefits, both mentally and physically.

Speaking to the Player’s Tribune, Bellerin said:

"“I’ve been vegan since the beginning of the season more or less. At the beginning I wanted to try it for a couple of weeks to detox my body and stuff, but I just felt so great after it that I’ve been doing it for more than six months now. For me the most important thing is the inflammation in my body after games and the speed that my body recovers compared to before. I’ve always had little problems in my ankles when I played very hard games, they would get inflamed and very stiff.”"

He also added:

"“Now I don’t even have to strap them to play anymore. It doesn’t just make a difference in your body but I strongly believe that what we’re doing to the earth we get paid back. Getting rid of all the food I was eating and going to this plant based diet it did take those few days to actually feel better, but when it got to the beginning of the third week I felt so good.”"

He also joked about how some of his team-mates try and joke around him with meat:

"“Players like Nacho Monreal, I hang with him a lot, and Koscielny, they tell me ‘Hector where’s the meat on the plate?’ They always try to put it on my plate but it’s all fun.”"

This shift to a vegan diet for footballers is not something new. Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi are 2 players who already switched to vegan for similar reasons and it gave them the desired results. For Messi, the result was losing 3 kilograms in weight and a reduction in his muscle injury issues. Similarly, Sergio Aguero was injury free for almost an entire year. That is enough proof that a vegan diet works wonders for your muscles.

One of the biggest problems for Arsenal in recent seasons has been the injury woes. Key players missing in important matches has cost Arsenal in a huge way. It is very important for the players to be proactive, like Bellerin, to take steps and prevent future niggles.

Another player who has employed a vegan diet at Arsenal is Jack Wilshere. He has shown very good levels of fitness this season as a result. A fully fit Wilshere is one of the best midfielder’s around. This has increased his chances for getting a contract extension with Arsenal, as well as a call up with England.

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There could be a trend in the Arsenal squad to turn vegan. Already, 2 Arsenal players have turned vegan this season, Bellerin and Wilshere. And it’s helped them both. Seeing fewer Arsenal players on the treatment table gives the Gunners a much better chance for competing with rivals for the top honours.