Vegetarians who drink and smoke appear to be healthier than meat-eaters because they have lower levels of cholesterol and inflammation and are less likely to develop cancer, study finds
- Vegetarians are healthier than meat-eaters even if they drink alcohol or smoke
- The findings stem from an analysis of more than 177,000 people
- Experts found vegetarians have lower cholesterol and inflammation
- All of which wards of negative effects of smoking and drink alcohol
- However, vegetarians have less vitamins that keep bones and joints healthy
Vegetarians who smoke and drink alcohol appear to be healthier than their meat-eating counterparts, a new study finds.
The statement comes from the University of Glasgow, which found vegetarians have a healthier biomarker profile that includes lower levels of cholesterol, inflammation and a hormone that encourages cancer growth.
Researchers found these biomarkers help ward off negative effects associated with smoking and consuming alcohol, regardless of age and weight in adults, along with illnesses like kidney failure.
However, the team notes that the average vegetarian has lower levels of vitamins linked to bone and joint health, along with a ‘significantly’ higher level of fats.
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Vegetarians who smoke and drink alcohol appear to be healthier than their meat-eating counterparts, a new study finds
Eating nothing but fruits and vegetables has become a popular way of living worldwide, with more than 300 million around the globe who have sworn off eating meat.
And the new study dove deeper to see what health benefits the specific diet provides.
Researchers analyzed blood and urine of 177,723 ‘healthy participants in the UK, who reported no major changes in diet over the last five years, according to EurekAlert.
Approximately 4,111 participants identified as vegetarian and 166,516 reporting consuming meat.
The statement comes from the University of Glasgow, which found vegetarians have a healthier biomarker profile that includes lower levels of cholesterol, inflammation and a hormone that encourages cancer growth
The team examined the association with 19 blood and urine biomarkers related to diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, liver, bone and joint health and kidney function.
Even after accounting for potentially influential factors including age, sex, education, ethnicity, obesity, smoking, and alcohol intake, the analysis found that compared to meat-eaters, vegetarians had significantly lower levels of 13 biomarkers.
This includes low ‘bad cholesterol,’ liver function markers linked to inflammation or cell damage and a hormone that encourages cancer cell growth, along with low levels of creatinine and protein that are known for worsening kidney function.
Although these markers are ideal for protecting people from developing illnesses, being a vegetarian does a have downside.
These individuals tested low for a number of biomarkers including ‘good cholesterol’ and vitamin D and C, which are necessary for bone and joint health.
However, the team notes that the average vegetarian has lower levels of vitamins linked to bone and joint health, along with a ‘significantly’ higher level of fats than those that consume meat
Dr. Carlos Celis-Morales from the University of Glasgow, UK, said: ‘Our findings offer real food for thought.
‘As well as not eating red and processed meat which have been linked to heart diseases and some cancers, people who follow a vegetarian diet tend to consume more vegetables, fruits, and nuts which contain more nutrients, fibre, and other potentially beneficial compounds.
‘These nutritional differences may help explain why vegetarians appear to have lower levels of disease biomarkers that can lead to cell damage and chronic disease.’
The authors point out that although their study was large, it was observational, so no conclusions can be drawn about direct cause and effect.
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