Veggies and longevity

Cutting out meat can help you live longer

This article was published on 06.20.13

A new study indicates vegetarians have a 12 percent lower risk of early death than their meat-eating counterparts. The website www.care2.com offers some reasons why:

Heart disease: This is America’s leading cause of death, and is mostly caused by high cholesterol. Dietary cholesterol comes only from animal products.

Cancer and stroke: Incidences of all forms of cancer are higher in meat-eaters. Leafy vegetables, dates and beans are the best source of dietary potassium, proven to reduce stroke risk.

Excess weight: Vegans, on average, are 30 pounds lighter than meat eaters (and vegetarians have a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes).