Vegetarian Diet Key to Living Past 100?

by Tara Lohan · 2010-07-03 14:00:00 UTC
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If you're a meat-loving, beer-swigging atheist, this may be bad news for you. The BBC shared the results of a new study by U.S. scientists who have been trying to find out what factors lead people to live more than 100 years. Their research is based on the largest study of centenarians thus far, according to the news outlet.

Apparently only one in 6,000 people in the industrialized world actually reaches 100. For those who do hit the milestone, they're usually in pretty good health: Ninety percent of them are "disability free" when they hit 93. So what's the secret to their success?

A combination of factors including a vegetarian diet, religion and skipping the drink play big into the equation. But if you're thinking about ditching the burger and heading to church, you may also want to know that having the right genes is also key.

Much of their research was based on previous findings that came from studying 7th Day Adventists in the U.S., who are known for having the highest life expectancy. "They get there by virtue of the fact that they have a religion that asks them to be vegetarian, they regularly exercise, they don't drink alcohol, they tend to manage their stress well through religion and time with family, and they don't smoke," Thomas Perls, associate professor of medicine at Boston University, told the BBC.

Interestingly, the scientists involved in the study believe that they may be able to develop a test that would let people know their chances of reaching 100. Considering the one in 6,000 odds, it seems like the results may be a bit disappointing for most people.

And it may also send a signal that if you don't have the right genes, you're doomed anyway so why worry about things like diet. Studies touting the health benefits of a vegetarian diet are nothing new. Results released in December by British researchers suggested that eating a diet low in a protein found in meat and fish (and some nuts) aids longevity. They said that a vegetarian diet may be key in avoiding this protein, but ultimately the study recommended decreasing calories by up to 30 percent while maintaining the right balance of protein. Good luck getting Americans to eat a whole lot less.

To be fair though, there has been information suggesting the benefits of grass-fed meat, which has high levels of omega-3s and "good" fats, so the answer to achieving good health is not as simple as following the results of the latest bit of research. It's better to spend some time figuring out the best foods for your own body.

Photo credit: Peter Kaminski

Tara Lohan is a senior editor at AlterNet.org where she heads up the environment, water, and food sections. Her work has appeared on the websites of The Nation, Mother Jones, the Huffington Post and in Yes! Magazine.
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