Go vegan or eat a lot of meat, depending on your body and lifestyle.
No diet can promise to stop the aging process, but there are plenty of lifestyle changes that are more or less proven to help prevent disease and keep you healthy for longer. Vegan protein sources are thought to be better than processed meat alternatives.
What is a vegan diet?
A vegan diet is a diet that excludes foods of animal origin and excludes meat, dairy and eggs. Some vegans eat honey, others don’t, thinking it’s a by-product of a living organism…
While going vegan is a personal choice, the most important principles surrounding it are said to lead a cruelty-free life. However, this does not mean that you should only eat fruits and vegetables. Basically you can find any food in vegan form: from sushi to the best vegan protein powder, to burgers.
Do vegans live longer?
Among the many claims about the positive effects of plant-based living on health and nutrition, it is argued that the average vegetarian lives longer than normal.
Brooke Jacob, a registered dietitian, said: “Vegan diets are associated with a reduced risk of many chronic diseases linked to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers and obesity. Due to the prevention of potential diseases, it is not surprising that vegans live longer, as following a vegan diet is associated with a reduced incidence of chronic disease, however more research is needed to definitively conclude that vegans live longer than non-vegetarians.”
A study from the American Journal of Internal Medicine JAMA found that vegans had a 9% lower risk of death than omnivores, and another study also found that the risk of death was reduced by up to 9%-twelfth percent. However, a study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that while a vegan diet may reduce the incidence of some chronic diseases, it is still inconclusive as to whether this is true and affects mortality or not. This is still not proven.
Why do some vegans live longer?
Anecdotally, many vegans live happy and healthy lives much longer than average. Despite following a healthy diet, there are other habits that are more common among health-conscious people, which may be more common in the vegan community. Eating plant-based foods, exercising, and drinking plenty of water, among other habits, are very common among vegans.
The most important thing to pay attention to when it comes to nutrition and longevity is to eat a balanced diet with adequate nutrients, possibly a vegan diet.
“The core of all diets has to do with the food you consume,” says Jacob. You need to make sure you get a variety of nutrients to meet your body’s needs. Eating a vegan diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts can help you maintain optimal nutrition. Also consider adding the right supplements to your diet and making sure you meet your iron, calcium, vitamin B12 and vitamin D needs…”
Whether veganism is a common denominator for longevity is hard to say, especially since the studies rely on other life variables. It is important to note that this approach requires a long-term commitment to a vegan diet.
“Vegan diets can be sustainable if the person is willing to make a change and see their diet as a lifestyle change rather than just a diet,” Jacob says.
While there’s an anecdote that a vegan diet can help you live a hundred years and more, diet, exercise, and personal health are very specific things.
There is some scientific research to suggest that a vegetarian diet and low animal protein may help prevent disease, but evidence on longevity is lacking. This means that a vegan diet probably won’t help you live longer.
If you’re considering going vegan for your health or cutting back on animal products, talk to a dietitian to find a plan that’s right for your health needs.
Source: CafeF
