030317 Eating Less Meat Boosts Longevity

Berlin - People who eat little or no meat can expect to live significantly longer than the general population, a new report from the Center of Cancer Research in Germany (DKFZ) says.

Between 1978 and 1999, the DKFZ monitored almost 2,000 people who ate either no meat or less than average. The group was comprised of vegans, who eat no meat, fish, eggs or dairy products, vegetarians, who eat eggs and dairy products, but no meat or fish, and occasional meat eaters, aged between 10 and 70.

The monitored group had an average of 59 deaths for every 100 deaths in the general population during the period, results obtained from age-specific comparisons with the general population over five-year intervals showed.

But the study also revealed that completely avoiding meat does not make for the healthiest diet: within the group, for every 100 deaths among vegans, there were 66 among vegetarians and 60 among occasional meat eaters.

"Essentially, the key issue here is having a properly balanced diet," said Jenny Chang- Claude from the DKFZ.

Smokers in the group showed increased mortality rates of 70% compared with non- smokers. And those taking the most exercise reduced their mortality rates by more than 30%.

No clear conclusions could be drawn on the influence of moderate alcohol consumption on longevity, the DKFZ said.

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