Virat Kohli, Venus Williams and Lewis Hamilton among famous athletes on a plant-based diet

More sports stars are going 'green' in order to improve recovery and prolong their career

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  Nate Diaz is one of the biggest names in MMA and UFC. And he has been a vegan since the age of 18. Zuffa LLC

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  American Scott Jurek is one of the most dominant ultramarathoners in the world, with 16 major titles under his belt. He became a vegan while in college. AFP

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  Australia fast bowler Peter Siddle famously switched to a vegan diet in 2013. Ate 20 bananas a day, but that didn't quite translate to success on the field. Getty Images

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  Former world heavyweight champion David Haye said in 2016 that after going 'green', he is "fitter than I've ever been." Courtesy Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi

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  F1 driver Lewis Hamilton decided to go vegan in 2017 and invested in a plant-based restaurant in London as well. He recently said that going vegan "is the only way to truly save our planet". Getty Images

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  After getting diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome in 2011, Venus Williams switched to a raw vegan diet to help her get back on the tennis court. However, she has now added potatoes, rice, and lentils to her diet. AP

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  India captain Virat Kohli became a vegetarian last year and said his views on diet have changed completely. AFP

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  Former NFL defensive end David Carter (71) became a vegan in 2014. He is now an activist who is known more as the '300-pound vegan'. Getty Images

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  Jermin Defoe is 37 and still going strong. He became a vegan in 2017 and has credited it for helping him remain competitive.Getty Images

India captain Virat Kohli is one of the greatest cricketers and athletes of this generation. And he is now a vegetarian.

Kohli has spearheaded a revolution in Indian cricket, and by extension the world game, with his obsession over looking after himself. His relentless pursuit of the ultimate fitness and diet regime saw him become a vegetarian last year.

Expressing delight at his decision to adopt a plant-based diet, Kohli tweeted on Wednesday: “Saw Game Changers on Netflix. Being a vegetarian athlete has made me realise what I have believed all these years regarding diet was a myth. What an amazing documentary and yes I’ve never felt better in my life after I turned vegetarian.”

In ‘The Game Changers’ documentary, former UFC fighter James Wilks travels the world and talks to elite athletes about the benefits of a vegan or vegetarian diet.

Kohli’s diet earlier included grilled chicken, eggs, salmon, vegetables, seafood and red meat. But now, it’s all 'green'.

The India captain isn’t the first top-level athlete to take the vegan road. Many have done so before him and many will do it in the future.

Athletes insist a vegan diet allows a quicker recovery, higher levels of performance and adds a few more years to their professional careers.

Tennis star Venus Williams and F1 driver Lewis Hamilton are some of the most famous vegans athletes in the world.

Above is a picture gallery of athletes who are vegan or vegetarian. To move on to the next image, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.