Healthy Veggies
A study looking at the diets of almost 800 middle-aged and elderly people clearly showed that vegetarians were at a much lower risk of metabolic syndrome – a bunch of health problems (such as high blood pressure, bad cholesterol, blood sugar, body weight and waist circumference) increasing the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease – than meat-eaters. A plant based diet was therefore recommended for maintaining good health.
Rizzo, N.S., Sabaté, J., Jaceldo-Siegl, K., Fraser, G.E., 2011. Vegetarian Dietary Patterns Are Associated With a Lower Risk of Metabolic Syndrome. Diabetes Care. 34 (5) 1225-1227.
About the author
Dr. Justine Butler
Justine joined Viva! in 2005 after graduating from Bristol University with a PhD in molecular biology. After working as a campaigner, then researcher and writer, she is now Viva!’s head of research and her work focuses on animals, the environment and health. Justine’s scientific training helps her research and write both in-depth scientific reports, such as White Lies and the Meat Report, as well as easy-to-read factsheets and myth-busting articles for consumer magazines and updates on the latest research. Justine also recently wrote the Vegan for the Planet guide for Viva!’s Vegan Now campaign.
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