Proven: Vegetarians Live Longer

[Guest guest]

by Christine Lepisto, Berlin on 07.13.08

Vegetarians Live Longer

The battle has long been waged, and will certainly continue in spite

of this study. Are humans designed/evolved to eat everything and at

risk of malnutrition as vegetarians? Or is vegetarianism the healthy

and ethical choice? The most impressive data arises from a study of

1904 vegetarians over 21 years by the German Cancer Research Center

(Deutsche Krebsforschungszentrum). The study's shocking results:

vegetarian men reduced their risk of early death by 50%! Women

vegetarians benefit from a 30% reduction in mortality.

Long-term Study of Vegetarians

The participants of the the German Cancer Research Center study

included 60 vegans (no animal products consumed), 1165 vegetarians

(eating eggs, milk but no meat) with the remainder described

as " moderate " vegetarians who occasionally ate fish or meat. The

health of these study participants was compared with the average

German population. Living longer seems not to be exclusively related

to eating meat, though, as the results for moderate vegetarians was

not statistically different from those for vegan or strict

vegetarian diets.

To the argument that it is not vegetarianism but a general interest

in a healthier lifestyle which leads to such notable results,

scientists reply with evidence that the majority of vegetarians do

not cite health reasons for their lifestyle, but make their choice

based on ethical commitment, environmental concerns or simply

personal taste.

Vegetarians and Malnutrition

Research by a team led by Professor Ibrahim Elmadfa at the

University of Vienna found a much better than average intake of

Vitamin C, Carotinoides, Folic acid, fiber and unsaturated fats.

Where shortcomings may arise is for Vitamin B12, calcium und Vitamin

D in a vegan diet. Astoundingly, however, study participants did not

suffer from diseases, such as osteoporosis, typically related to

inadequate intakes of these micro-nutrients.

http://www.treehugger.com2008/07/vegetarians-live-longer.php