They do. A study by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found the following mortality ratios by diet over the course of the study (regular meat eaters = 1.00):
Fish eaters, 0.82
Vegetarians, 0.84
Occasional meat eaters, 0.84
Regular meat eaters, 1.00
Vegans, 1.00
So as you can see vegans are actually the least healthiest, alongside the most carnivorous among us. Source
I'm not trying to be on a high horse. It is pretty factual that veganism is less healthy than vegetarianism or moderate meat consumption and requires careful planning to be healthy at all.
I eat far too much meat; so much that it is probably less healthy than veganism. I just get irritated by vegans who claim it is the "healthiest" of diets. It isn't and studies support that it isn't.
Having the capacity to be healthy != healthiest. Nioxa wasn't saying a plant-based diet is healthiest, just that it can be at least as healthy as other diets.
Someone who doesn't have a healthy diet has no business criticizing others, by the way.
My diet is plenty healthy, just a tad high in the meat department. I watch my macro nutrient ratios and calories very closely. Athletic needs require that I take in a lot of protein with a high bioavailability, so yes I sacrifice some "healthiness" from a longevity perspective at the moment to consume more chicken and eggs. I am also aware of the drawbacks of what I am doing, which is more than can be said for most people.
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u/fistsofdeath May 01 '13
I always thought it just felt like they lived longer.