A recent study from Loma Linda University finds that vegetarians have a lower risk of death compared to people who consume meat, according to Time Magazine. The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, included 70,000 participants and found that vegetarians had a 12% lower risk of death than non-vegetarians. The study also found that vegans have a lower risk of death compared to carnivores and omnivores as well.
So what does 12% lower of risk death mean, exactly? The director of the study says that vegetarians have a lower risk of developing diabetes and heart disease, among other things, and so have a lower risk of dying. Red meat is theorized as being the culprit of many deadly diseases.
But vegetarians aren’t healthier just because they don’t eat red meat. There are potential benefits in the food they do consume, as their diet emphases fruits and vegetables more, according Dr. Michael Orlich, the study’s director. The study also found that men are more affected by going green in their diets than women. Males in the study had remarkably lower rates of cardiovascular disease compared to females.
So if you don’t want to go totally vegetarian, you still should try and reduce your red meat intake and add a few more vegetables to your plate. It might save your life.
