A vegetarian diet provides significant health benefits such as: - People who follow a vegetarian diet are 1/3 less likely to be obese and live about 7 years longer than non-vegetarians. - Men who don't eat meat reduce their risk of early death by 50%, women by 30%. Vegetarians also have lower risks of diseases like cancer, heart disease, and hypertension. - A vegetarian diet can meet all protein and nutrient needs without exceeding recommended daily intakes and avoiding the saturated fats and cholesterol found in meat.