Do vegans live longer? (2024)

Vegan diets are becoming increasingly popular, with an estimated 2% of the UK population now cutting out meat and dairy products.

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With champion athletes such as Novak Djokovic, Lewis Hamilton and Venus Williams swearing by their plant-based diets, the health benefits of going meat-free are becoming more widely publicised.

But can a vegan diet make you live longer? And if so, how?

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What is a vegan diet?

For some, veganism is about more than what you eat. It is a “philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude – as far as is possible and practicable – all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose”, said the Vegan Society.

A plant-based diet, which excludes animal foods such as meat and fish, dairy, eggs and honey, is part of a vegan lifestyle.

Do vegans live longer?

A 2013 study published in the JAMA Internal Medicine journal found that “vegans have a 9% lower risk of death from all causes compared with omnivores”, according to Live Science.

Another study found a 12% lower risk, but while research published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition agreed that a vegan diet can lower rates of certain chronic diseases, it did not find evidence that veganism led to a longer life.

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Nevertheless, vegan diets have been linked to “the reduction of risk for multiple chronic health conditions associated with heart disease, type 2 diabetes, certain types of cancer, and obesity”, Brooke Jacob, a registered dietician, told Live Science.

While “it is not surprising” that vegans may live longer, “as following a vegan diet is linked to reduced occurrence of chronic disease… more research is needed to definitively conclude that vegans live longer than non-vegans”, she said.

What are the health benefits of going vegan?

Avoiding the saturated fat in meat can provide a health boost. Processed meat like ham, sausages, salami, bacon, smoked and canned meat have been classed as class-1 carcinogens by the World Health Organization, “the same classification as tobacco smoking, asbestos, and radioactive barium”, said Vegan Food and Living.

Dairy and eggs, which vegans don’t consume, are also high in saturated fat. Vegans and vegetarians “on average” tend to eat more “nutritious, whole plant-foods”, said the publication.

Indeed, said Live Science, healthy lifestyle habits such as “eating whole foods, exercising, drinking enough water… might be more prevalent in the vegan community”. Similarly, a study that found that vegetarians live up to six or nine years longer also discovered that vegetarians are also more likely to exercise, be married, smoke less and drink less alcohol, said Quartz.

But while vegan fast food options “might sound like a guilt-free alternative”, they are “often worse for your health than the meat equivalent”, warned William Park at the BBC. For example, salt is usually added to vegan fast foods to “give the same meaty, rewarding sensation that would otherwise be missing”, he said.

And the NHS advises that “if you do not plan your diet properly, you could miss out on essential nutrients, such as calcium, iron, vitamin B12, iodine and selenium”.

How can I eat a healthy vegan diet?

Veganuary suggests that new vegans focus on consuming enough protein, as well as calcium, iron, vitamin B12 and other minerals.

“If we choose wholefoods, legumes, nuts, fruits, spices, herbs and some of the 20,000 edible plants that exist in the world, we can experience an incredible improvement in our health while enjoying some wonderful flavours,” said the non-profit group.

And the NHS states that “you can get the nutrients you need from eating a varied and balanced vegan diet including fortified foods and supplements”.

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Do vegans live longer? (2024)

FAQs

Do vegans live longer? ›

While there is some scientific research to suggest that going vegan and eating less animal protein can help to prevent diseases, the evidence is still lacking in terms of cold, hard numbers on longevity in particular. However, this doesn't mean that a vegan diet won't help you live longer.

Do vegans have a longer life expectancy? ›

Another study found a 12% lower risk, but while research published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition agreed that a vegan diet can lower rates of certain chronic diseases, it did not find evidence that veganism led to a longer life.

What is the average age of a vegan? ›

Vegans tend to be younger than the general population, with the majority falling between 18 and 34. Younger generations are more attuned to animal welfare, climate change, and health issues and are more likely to adopt a plant-based diet.

Do vegans get fatty liver? ›

Higher intake of plant-based diets especially healthful plant-based diets was associated with lower NAFLD risk and liver fat content regardless of genetic susceptibility, whereas an unhealthful plant-based diet was associated with higher NAFLD risk and intrahepatic steatosis.

Who lives longer, vegans or pescatarians? ›

Some large scale studies show that, when it comes to mortality risk, Pescetarian diets are healthier than Vegan diets. Men seem to gain more benefit from giving up meat than women.

Do vegans age well? ›

Overall, vegan diets based mainly on whole or minimally processed plant foods may slow the aging process by reducing oxidative stress in the body. These diets limit foods highest in AGEs and are higher in antioxidant-rich, low-AGE foods.

Why do vegans last longer? ›

Vegan diets tend to be rich in nutrients that may protect against illnesses and boost your lifespan. Many people who follow this eating pattern also make lifestyle choices, such as exercising regularly and avoiding processed foods, that may aid longevity.

Who ages faster vegans or meat eaters? ›

While there are a variety of health benefits associated with following a vegan diet, eating a vegan diet won't make you age faster or slower in and of itself.

What is healthier, vegan or meat eater? ›

Vegetarians and vegans typically have lower body mass index, serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and blood pressure than comparable regular meat-eaters, as well as lower bone mineral density.

Are the oldest people vegan? ›

Fish Is Fine

The Adventist Health Study 2, which has been following 96,000 Americans since 2002, found that the people who lived the longest were not vegans or meat-eaters. They were “pesco-vegetarians,” or pescatarians, people who ate a plant-based diet including a small portion of fish, up to once daily.

What diseases are vegans more prone to? ›

Health Risks of a Vegan Diet
  • Vitamin B12 Deficiency.
  • Stroke.
  • Anemia.
  • Leaky Gut Syndrome.
  • Depression.
  • Hormonal Imbalance.

What is the No 1 food that causes fatty liver? ›

Sugar, alcohol, refined grains, fatty food, and meat should be avoided if a person has fatty liver disease.

Who shouldn't go vegan? ›

People with chronic alcohol addiction or conditions such as cancer, Crohn's disease, diabetes, and celiac disease are also more at risk of being deficient in zinc. If you have been diagnosed with a zinc deficiency, cutting out animal products could negatively impact your health.

Are most vegans wealthy? ›

Veganism is increasingly popular and it is a place for everyone, rather than just for the wealthy. That said, like the rest of the world, veganism is another thing that is looked at as for the wealthy. People with lower incomes might be welcome, but they aren't made to feel that.

What age group has the most vegans? ›

UK surveys show that younger adults are more likely to be vegan; the demographic group in Britain most commonly adhering to a vegan diet is women aged 18 to 34. This finding is consistent with results from other countries.

Do most vegans go back to eating meat? ›

If you recently decided that being vegan isn't for you, you probably have questions about how to reintroduce meat. Fortunately, you're not alone. Research shows that 84 percent of people return to eating meat. And with delicious crispy chicken, buttery steaks and juicy baby back ribs, we can see why!

Can you survive long term on a vegan diet? ›

No statistically significant differences have been shown for total cardiovascular disease between vegans and meat eaters, but the data so far suggest there may be a lower risk of ischaemic heart disease and perhaps a higher risk of stroke in vegans. There is no evidence of a difference in life expectancy.

Do vegans last longer in bed than meat eaters? ›

Those on a plant-based diet perform better, last longer and generally have more sex than their meat-eating counterparts, a study has found. Data compiled by the dating website Illicitencounters.com showed that overall, vegetarians and vegans have a far better sex life than those who choose to eat a meat-based diet.

Is veganism healthy long term? ›

While several studies have shown that a vegan diet (VD) decreases the risk of cardiometabolic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, veganism has been associated with adverse health outcomes, namely, nervous, skeletal, and immune system ...

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