Are There Any 100+ Year Old Vegans and Vegetarians?

Listing of Vegan & Vegetarian Centenarians

1. Loreen Dinwiddie – 108 years old – VEGAN
The oldest woman on record in Multnomah County and possibly in her entire state. She follows a fully plant-based vegan diet and maintains incredible fitness and health as she approaches super-centenarian status.

2. Angeline Strandal – 104 years old – VEGETARIAN
Featured in Newsweek magazine, she is a fan of the Boston Red Sox and heavyweight fights. Having outlived 11 siblings, she attributes her longevity to her vegetarian lifestyle.

3. Beatrice Wood – 105 years old – VEGETARIAN
The inspiration for the character “Rose” in the movie Titanic, Beatrice thrived on a complete vegetarian diet, living to 105. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatrice_Wood

4. Blanche Mannix – 105 years old – VEGETARIAN
A lifelong vegetarian, Blanche has never eaten meat. She attributes her longevity and happiness to her vegetarian diet, having witnessed significant historical events throughout her life.

5. Missi Devi – 105 years old – VEGAN
Following the Jain lifestyle, Missi adhered to “Ahimsa,” avoiding dairy and consuming mainly fruits. She lived to 105 and was highly honored in her nation.

6. Catherine Hagel – 114 years old – VEGETARIAN
The second oldest person in the U.S. and third oldest in the world, Catherine enjoys gardening and has a rich history, including having two sets of twins. She follows an ovo-lacto vegetarian diet.

7. Charles “Hap” Fisher – 102 years old – VEGETARIAN
The oldest resident of the Brandon Oaks Community, Charles is a scholar at Roanoke College and has been vegetarian for over 90 years, inspired by a childhood experience with a pet chicken.

8. Christian Mortensen – 115.252 years old – VEGETARIAN
Holding the record for the oldest fully documented man in the world, Christian’s longevity has been extensively studied. He remains mentally sharp and exhibits no signs of degenerative diseases. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Mortensen

9. Claris Davis – 102 years old – VEGETARIAN
Known as “Miss Claris,” she is a 7th Day Adventist from Jamaica who follows a healthy vegetarian diet. Her joyful spirit and singing bring happiness to those around her.

10. Fauja Singh – 100 years old – VEGETARIAN
Fauja Singh is a remarkable marathon runner who holds the world record for his age group. Living in the UK, this Sikh centenarian maintains impressive athleticism and strength, following a healthy vegetarian diet that includes lentils, green vegetables, curry, chapati, and ginger tea. He completed a marathon at nearly 90 years old, beating the previous record by nearly 58 minutes, and continues to inspire others with his vitality and dedication to running. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fauja_Singh

11. Florence Ready – 101 years old – RAW FOOD VEGETARIAN
Florence practices a rigorous aerobic exercise regimen six days a week and primarily consumes raw foods, focusing on fruits and vegetables. A vegetarian for nearly 60 years, she remains active and vibrant, defying expectations of her age.

12. Frances Steloff – 101 years old – VEGETARIAN
Known as the Patron Saint of Animals, Frances was a poet and writer who advocated for animal welfare. She ran a bookstore frequented by notable figures like George Gershwin and Charlie Chaplin. Throughout her life, she fought for women’s rights and freedom of speech, contributing to significant legal decisions against censorship.

13. Gladys Stanfield – 105 years old – LIFELONG VEGETARIAN
Gladys has never eaten meat and enjoys a purely vegetarian diet, with a fondness for chocolate and whole grain honey buns. As the oldest resident at Creekside, she celebrated her recent birthday with over 70 friends, emphasizing her love for life and community.

14. Harold H.D. Singleton – 100 years old – VEGETARIAN
A leader in the Adventist community, Harold “HD” Singleton was a pioneer for African American rights in the southern U.S. He graduated from Oakwood University and became president of the South Atlantic Conference, advocating for health and vegetarianism long before it became popular.

15. Herb Wiles – 100 years old – VEGETARIAN
Herb credits his long life to his vegetarian diet, faith, sense of humor, and regular exercise. He resides in Loma Linda, a recognized Blue Zone for longevity, where he maintains his fitness through various gym activities and adheres to a plant-based diet. More about Herb Wiles

The bottom line is that you can survive to 100 eating meat or not. The people of the Weston A Price Foundation (WAPF) believe that over time those not eating meat produce less healthy offspring. I don’t plan on having any, however, so true or not, this argument for eating meat does not apply to me. They also believe that meat eaters are healthier. I believe you need complete proteins, yes, but I’m not convinced yet that we need to eat meat. For example, why do vegetarian Seventh Day Adventists live a year and a half longer than meat-eaters?

A study of Seventh Day Adventists–who stick to a strictly vegetarian diet–found that those who eat primarily vegetables gained an extra year and a half over meat-eaters; those who ate nuts regularly added two more years on top of that. And in Okinawa, Japan, which boasts a high number of centenarians, residents eat up to 10 servings of veggies each day.

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Evidence Supporting Meat Consumption for Longevity

1. Positive Correlation with Life Expectancy

A study published in the International Journal of General Medicine analyzed data from 175 countries and found a significant positive correlation between meat intake and life expectancy. The researchers concluded that meat consumption is a predictor of greater life expectancy, independent of factors such as caloric intake, urbanization, and obesity.

2. Nutritional Benefits

Proponents argue that meat provides essential nutrients that are crucial for human health, including complete proteins, vitamins (like B12), and minerals (such as iron and zinc). The evolutionary perspective suggests that human beings have adapted to a diet that includes meat, which has historically contributed to our nutritional needs and overall health.

3. Critique of Plant-Based Diets

Some researchers argue that the benefits attributed to vegetarian or vegan diets may not be solely due to the absence of meat but rather the overall quality of the diet and lifestyle factors, such as socioeconomic status and access to healthcare. They contend that studies claiming the superiority of plant-based diets often fail to account for these confounding variables adequately.

Evidence Against Meat Consumption for Longevity

1. Health Risks Associated with Meat

Critics point to numerous studies linking high meat consumption, particularly processed and red meats, to various health issues, including heart disease, cancer, and shorter life expectancy. For instance, consuming processed meat has been associated with a significant reduction in life expectancy, with estimates suggesting that it could take years off an individual’s life.

2. Blue Zones and Plant-Based Diets

The concept of “Blue Zones,” regions where people live significantly longer than average, emphasizes predominantly plant-based diets rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. These populations often have lower meat consumption, suggesting that a plant-based diet may contribute to longevity through improved health outcomes and lower disease rates.

3. Methodological Concerns in Meat Studies

Critics of the studies supporting meat consumption highlight methodological flaws, such as reliance on aggregate data rather than individual dietary habits. They argue that such studies can misrepresent the health impacts of meat consumption due to unmeasured variables like lifestyle, healthcare access, and environmental factors.

Conclusion

The evidence regarding meat consumption and longevity is complex and often contradictory. While some studies suggest that meat intake may correlate with longer life expectancy due to its nutritional benefits, many health experts advocate for a diet low in meat and high in plant-based foods, which has been associated with numerous health benefits and longevity. The choice of diet should consider individual health needs, preferences, and the broader context of lifestyle and environmental factors.

Read More

^{[1] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/a-plant-based-diet-can-be-the-secret-to-a-longer-life/articleshow/105929674.cms
[2] https://www.worldofvegan.com/vegan-centenarians/
[3] https://www.reddit.com/r/nutrition/comments/19f87mi/blue_zones_centenarians_are_not_vegetarians/
[4] https://www.thrivenutritionmn.com/blog/2022/2/2/are-the-blue-zones-plant-based
[5] https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/centenarian-vegan-athlete-credits-die/
[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7613518/
[7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YsGqbjT49Q
[8] https://www.reddit.com/r/geopolitics/comments/1e0uc7t/trump_gets_elected_what_happens_to_ukraine_war/}