From protecting animals from needless cruelty and neglect to
safeguarding our precious natural resources and staving off pollution, the
positive impact of vegan eating cannot be overstated.
Now, a new study demonstrates the life-extending benefits of
a vegan diet.
Published in JAMA Internal Medicine earlier this
week, the study highlights the spectrum of life-threatening chronic diseases
connected to red meat consumption and the health benefits of consuming plant
protein.
Dr. Mingyang Song, a researcher who served as lead author of
the paper, emphasizes that while consuming the right amount of protein is
important, the source of protein plays an equally important role.
Reporting on the study, CNN
explains:
Specifically, a 10% increase in animal protein intake was linked to a 2% increase in overall mortality and 8% increase in risk of cardiovascular-related death, Song said. However, a 3% increase in plant protein intake was linked to a 10% decrease in overall mortality and a 12% decrease in cardiovascular mortality.
This information isn’t new.
In 2014, a large-scale study of 73,000 Americans published
in Men’s Journal
showed that eating a vegetarian diet promotes longevity. In fact, study
participants who followed a plant-based diet had an early mortality rate 20
percent lower than study participants who consumed meat.
Ready to leave meat and other animal protein off your plate?
Click here for delicious vegan
recipes, meal ideas, and tips on making the switch.