Vegan influencer Zhanna Samsonova, who followed an extreme raw vegan diet, died at age 39. She had over 17,000 followers captivated by her plant-based lifestyle. For 10 years, Samsonova sustained herself on fruits, seeds, and smoothies, avoiding salt, fat, oil, and even water, favoring fruit juices instead.

Samsonova died on July 21 in Malaysia from a “cholera-like infection” worsened by “exhaustion of the body by a vegan diet,” according to The Mirror. Her family is seeking to bring her body back to Russia for further investigation, as the official cause of death remains undetermined.

Friends noticed the toll her diet took on her health. One remarked, “It was scary to look at her, to be honest, her hands were like those of my 12-year-old sister, thin.” Another friend saw her in Phuket and was “horrified.”

While raw vegan diets can improve cholesterol levels and promote heart health, they require careful planning to avoid nutrient deficiencies, such as Vitamin B12. Despite these benefits, Healthline warns that such diets may not suit everyone, particularly without proper supplementation. Samsonova, however, was committed to her lifestyle and expressed love for her transformation, saying, “I adore the new version of myself.”