Vegetarians have always had a reputation for having a healthier diet and living longer. Some vegetarian diets are for weight loss and are temporary, for example, a 21-day vegetarian diet, or a 40-day vegetarian diet. Vegetarians pride themselves on having a healthier diet than others.
Previous research in this field also showed that avoiding meat is the key to a long life.
Of course, this is true. For example, due to avoiding the consumption of animal products, the level of cholesterol in the blood of vegetarians is low, and this protects them from diseases such as blood pressure, blockage of blood vessels, and heart diseases. On the other hand, the lack of fat in the vegetarian diet prevents obesity and high blood fat. But here the question arises, is the fact that vegetarians are healthier than people who do not give up eating meat in their diet, just because they are vegetarians?
The Cancer Research Center in Germany has monitored the diet of a number of vegetarians for 12 years.
Among these people, there have been various types of vegetarians, including those who avoid all meat products, even eggs, milk and honey, as well as those who have a moderate diet and sometimes consume meat.
The result of this research was quite clear: the death rate of vegetarians was 30% lower among women and 50% lower among men than people who had a normal diet.
Less alcohol and smoking, another secret of long life. The thing about these numbers is that in this study, very few of the investigated vegetarians used cigarettes and alcohol excessively. Vegetarians are known to have an overall healthier lifestyle, are usually educated, and exercise is a regular part of their lives. If the researchers take these points into consideration, what changes will be made in the research results?
If you take into account the results of various studies that have been conducted in this field at the international level and compare vegetarians with meat-eating people who live healthy, then another picture is obtained: the mortality rate in these two groups is not much different. does not have
In a study conducted by the German Cancer Research Center, moderate vegetarians have a better condition than others. But in general, regardless of being a vegetarian or a meat eater, whoever lives a healthier life usually lives longer.
A vegan diet is a diet in which you cannot eat animal products such as meat, dairy and eggs. While some people following this diet eat honey, some avoid eating honey, because honey is also a byproduct of living organisms.
There are also many other elements to consider when considering veganism as a lifestyle, such as approaches to by-products such as gelatin, cosmetics and many more.
While veganism is a personal choice and a lifestyle that everyone has their own relationship with, its principles rely on cruelty-free living and consuming plant-based foods. However, this does not mean that you should only eat fruits and vegetables. You can find everything in a vegan form, too: from sushi to plant-based protein powders to burgers. Given that there are so many ways to be vegetarian, what are the implications for our health, well-being, and longevity?
Among the many claims about the positive effects of a plant-based lifestyle on human health and nutrition, there is a popular idea that vegans live longer on average. Nutritionist Brooke Jacob says:
A study published in the JAMA Internal Medicine Journal found that vegans had a 9% lower risk of dying from any cause than omnivores. Although the study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition noted that while the rate of some chronic diseases may be lower in vegans, it cannot be concluded that this has an effect on the death rate. Of course, there may be such an effect, but there is still no strong evidence to support it.
Why do some vegans live longer?
Many vegans are said to stay healthier and fitter than average. There are several reasons for this.
While eating a healthy diet is generally beneficial, there are other health-conscious lifestyle habits that may be more prevalent in the vegetarian community. Consuming whole foods, exercising, drinking enough water and other important habits are more common among vegetarians, especially those whose main motivation for a vegetarian diet is to improve their health.
The most important thing to focus on when it comes to nutrition and longevity is eating a balanced diet with adequate nutrients, which is possible with a plant-based diet. "The key to all diets is to have a good variety of foods," says Jacob. This way, you ensure that you are getting a variety of nutrients to meet your needs. Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts will help you stay well-nourished. "It's also wise to add the right supplements to your diet and make sure you're getting enough iron, calcium, vitamin B12 and vitamin D."