Vegan life span study
As the popularity of veganism continues to grow, so does the scientific community’s interest in the effects of veganism on the body. There have been numerous studies on vegan diets that attempt to understand the benefits of veganism. Do vegans have better sex? Do they gain less weight? And, most importantly, do they live longer?
Recent studies on the vegan life span indicate that vegans and even vegetarians tend to live longer than people who eat meat. Current data suggests some of the difference in lifespan could be due to the fact that many vegans live healthier lifestyles than their meat eating counterparts.1 However, it is clear that a plant based diet is a strong contributor to a long life.
What’s the difference?
Researchers at Loma Linda University have been conducting studies on vegans for decades to determine if the vegan life span is really longer. The current results indicate that vegans on average live six to nine years longer than meat eaters.2 Furthermore, other studies have shown that a plant based diet can improve heart health and reduce risk of certain diseases. 3
While these outcomes may be due in part to the fact that many studies on vegans are conducted on groups who are naturally health conscious, such as Seventh-day Adventists who maintain a vegan diet for religious reasons, the conclusions cannot be ignored. Whether you are an Adventist who makes frequent doctors visits or a vegan who tries to eat well and exercise regularly, your life expectancy will see the benefits.
Add years to your life
Finding out that vegans live longer is likely to incentivize people to experiment with plant based diets. But going vegan isn’t for everyone. Before you quit animal products cold turkey in pursuit of a longer life, check out our site to find out what you need to know about going vegan. Lifestyle changes take time and effort, but the data shows that it’s worth it.
References
1 Does low meat consumption increase life expectancy in humans?,American Journal of Clinical Nutrition | NCBI
2 Do Vegans Live Longer?, PETA Prime
3 Beyond Meatless, the Health Effects of Vegan Diets: Findings from the Adventist Cohorts, Nutrients | MDPI, Basel, Switzerland (NCBI).
NOTE: The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine (NCBI), PETA Prime, and MDPI, Basel, Switzerland have not reviewed or approved the above article.
