A recent Chinese study has produced surprising results that challenge the common belief that plant-based diets are best for longevity. The study found that eating meat as part of a balanced diet may be associated with a higher chance of living to be 100 years old. The study included 5,203 Chinese participants, all of whom were 80 years of age or older at the start of the study. Of these, 1,495 reached the age of 100, while 3,744 died before reaching this age. According to results reported by The Daily Mail, people who abstained from meat were 19% less likely to live to be 100 compared to meat-eaters, while this figure dropped to 29% among strict vegetarians. The study also noted that vegetarians who include eggs and dairy products in their diet have a 14% lower chance of reaching 100 years of age. Additionally, plant-based diets that include fish were linked to a similar reduction in the odds. The lead researcher, Dr. Xiang Gao from Fudan University, explained that older adults may need essential nutrients found in meat, suggesting that a balanced diet combining plant and animal foods may be most suitable for supporting survival, especially for those who are underweight. Meanwhile, the study emphasized the importance of vegetables, with daily consumption linked to an 84% higher chance of living to 100 compared to those who do not consume them regularly. The researchers stressed that the findings do not encourage a diet entirely based on meat but rather call for a balance between plant and animal components to support longevity, taking into account the physical condition of older adults and its impact on their ability to benefit from different types of food.
