Meat Eaters May Live Longer Than Vegetarians, New Study Suggests
Older adults who consume meat may have a greater chance of reaching 100 years of age compared to those who do not, according to a recent study. This finding challenges conventional wisdom about the benefits of vegetarian diets and highlights the complex relationship between diet and longevity.
The research, originating from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), involved over 5,000 Chinese participants, all aged 80 or older at the start of the study in 1998. Participants were followed over time, with specific data collected in 2018. The study is considered nationally representative, meaning the results reflect broader patterns within the population.
Researchers found that non-meat eaters were statistically less likely to reach 100 years old than those who ate meat. Yet, this association was primarily observed among participants who were underweight. No similar connection was found among individuals with normal or healthy body weight. This suggests that body weight plays a significant role in the relationship between diet and lifespan, potentially linked to changes in specific organs.
Previous research has often emphasized the health benefits of plant-based diets, including a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. The current study’s findings differ somewhat from this established pattern, and researchers propose that these differences may be due to variations between very elderly individuals and younger adults. For older populations, issues like malnutrition and frailty may play a more prominent role in dietary needs.
The study emphasizes an association rather than a direct cause-and-effect relationship, and researchers caution that the results should be interpreted carefully. Further investigation is needed to fully understand the complex interplay between diet, body weight, and longevity. You can read more about the study here.
Recent reports as well highlight other dietary considerations. A study published in January 2026 suggests that cheese may offer health benefits due to the fermentation process, challenging its long-held reputation as an unhealthy food. More on this research is available here. Research indicates that the choice between butter and olive oil may impact how the body ages. Details on this can be found here.
In related news, France is developing a new environmentally friendly solution to combat fungal diseases threatening its wine production. Read more about this here. And an eight-year-old has demonstrated an extraordinary talent for identifying champagne vintages. You can find the full story here.
