New Study Says Vegetarians May Live Longer Than Omnivores

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A new study from researchers at Loma Linda University in California suggests that vegetarians and vegans may outlive their omnivorous friends.

A group of 70,000 people participated in the study, and findings showed that those who passed on meat had a 12% lower risk of death. The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, isn’t conclusive, but one only has to look at the countless other studies that show vegans and vegetarians have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, strokes, type 2 diabetes, hypertension among other health issues, to see the links between living a longer life and choosing plants instead of animals.

Michael J. Orlich, program director of the preventive medicine residency at Loma Linda University, said, “We can’t tell from this current paper with certainty, but one of the most plausible potential reasons contributing to this beneficial association is perhaps the absence or reduction of meat intake.” According to Time Health and Family, Orlich also said, “It could also be that consumption of various plant foods may be beneficially associated with reduced mortality, so we definitely want to look at those things on the food level in the future.”

Plant based foods like blueberries, broccoli, garlic (and pretty much any vegetable we can think of) have incredible benefits. From helping with blood pressure to reducing one’s chance of cancer, plant based foods are loaded with vitamins and antioxidants making them perfect to help prevent disease.

One interesting piece of the study suggested that men had more to gain than women by going vegetarian or vegan. Orlich wasn’t sure why men had a lower risk of heart disease and death than women, but said, “I don’t have any strong speculations, but it could be that the diet is playing out differently due to biological factors in men and women.”

Either way, this study reinforces the many that have come before. There are many health benefits to giving up animal products. The promise of lower risk of disease and therefore enjoying a longer life might just convince some omnivores to give up the steak and embrace a plant based diet.

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