Conflicting opinions about whether we were created to eat our food or if our health will be better if we give up meat, will probably never stop. However, the a German cancer research centre carried out the most exhaustive study on vegetarians that will certainly answer many questions, writes Treehugger.

The research encompassed 1904 vegetarians that were monitored throughout a period of 21 years.

The results are a little shocking. Men that are vegetarians have 50% less chance of premature death, and in women the mortality is lowered by 30%.The research included vegans that do not eat any products of animal descent (eggs, milk), vegetarians, as well as vegetarians that occasionally ate fish. Their health was compared with the health of an average German that is not a vegetarian.

It has been proven that strict vegans, as well as moderate vegetarians, live equally longer than the rest of the population. Scientists believe that vegans and vegetarians generally take more care about what food they eat and that is the secret of their longevity.

Vegetarians and vegans eat much more vitamin C, carotenes, folic acid and fibre than the rest of the population.