
Old-age longevity hinges on weight and nutrients, not just meat-free eating
A Chinese study of over 5,000 adults aged 80+ found non-meat eaters were less likely to reach 100, but this was mainly among those who were underweight; including fish, dairy, or eggs erased the difference. The findings suggest that nutritional needs in very old age—especially protein, calcium, vitamin B12, and vitamin D—along with body weight, influence centenarian odds more than simply avoiding meat. Since it’s an observational study, it shows associations, not causation, and plant-based diets can still be healthy for younger and healthier adults while requiring careful planning later in life.













