HEALTH: Meat-eaters may have a higher risk of death, but plants are the answer.

Researchers found that associations between protein intake and risk of death were confined to participants who had at least one unhealthy lifestyle habit or ailment, such as smoking, heavy drinking, obesity or physical inactivity.

Specifically, a 10% increase in animal protein intake was linked to a 2% increase in overall mortality and 8% increase in risk of cardiovascular-related death, Song said. However, a 3% increase in plant protein intake was linked to a 10% decrease in overall mortality and a 12% decrease in cardiovascular mortality.

Why animal protein is linked to mortality and plant protein is linked to a lower risk of death remains largely a mystery, Song said.

That’s just what the cows want us to think.