VEGETARIANS

have healthier biomarker profiles than meat eaters, according to a large-scale study from the University of Glasgow, assessing over 160,000 people. The researchers examined the links between diet and 19 different blood and urine tests related to the most common diseases like diabetes, heart disease and cancer. The beneficial links remained even after accounting for smoking and alcohol consumption. The researchers say these effects are down to the avoidance of red and processed meat – along with the typically higher intake of vegetables, fruit, legumes and nuts, which are packed with nutrients, fibre and other beneficial compounds.