Study Finds that 10% of Americans Follow a Vegetarian-Inclined Diet

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According to a study recently published in the Vegetarian Times, 3.2 percent of Americans, or approximately 7.3 million people, are now following a vegetarian diet. A full 10 percent of Americans, or 22.8 million people, also say they follow a vegetarian-inclined diet – focusing on plant-based nutrition and keeping consumption of health-harming and environment-harming meats to a minimum.

The rise of sales the Vegetarian Times has experienced in recent years alone is testament to the country’s growing interest in plant-based diets. The magazine has seen a 19.4% increase in sales since 2006. “A vast number of people are seeking to reduce their meat intake, creating a rapidly growing market for all things vegetarian,” said Vegetarian Times vice president and publisher, Bill Harper.

Medical studies have shown that following a vegetarian lifestyle can have numerous health benefits, including lowering the risk that vegetarians face of suffering from heart disease and stroke. Vegetarians also tend to be thinner and are less likely to suffer from hypertension than their meat-eating peers.

In younger populations, schools have found that switching to vegetarian student meals is associated with lower BMIs, better health, less sick days and increased concentration in students.

According to the study, 5.2 percent of Americans who are still meat eaters are interested in learning more and possibly following a vegetarian-based diet, implying that the rising number of vegetarians in the U.S. is a trend that will likely continue. Even better news for vegetarians, the growing demand for plant-based products will make dining out and grocery shopping as a vegetarian a whole lot easier in coming years.

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