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Is vegetarianism better for your health? Many studies conducted over the years strongly suggest as much. If you can’t cross over to a full-blown vegan diet, however, you can reduce your intake of red meat and reap many health benefits.

This article presents 7 recent studies and resources that discuss the benefits of eating less red meat. Sources include Nature.com, BBC News, and The Washington Post.

1. Vegetarians Less Likely to Develop Cancer, Say Researchers

Vegetarians will develop less blood, bladder and stomach cancer than meat eaters, according to new research published in the British Journal of Cancer.

The grouping of two studies featured more than 61,000 people over a timespan of 12 years and found they contracted less cancer, independent of factors such as smoking, alcohol use and obesity than those who consumed meat or fish or both.

2. Cancer Incidence Lower in British Vegetarians

We studied 61 566 British men and women, comprising 32 403 meat eaters, 8562 non-meat eaters who did eat fish (‘fish eaters’) and 20 601 vegetarians. After an average follow-up of 12.2 years, there were 3350 incident cancers of which 2204 were among meat eaters, 317 among fish eaters and 829 among vegetarians.

3. Death Link to Too Much Red Meat

Scientists have produced new evidence suggesting eating lots of red and processed meat damages health.

They found big meat eaters had a raised risk of death from all causes over a 10-year period.

In contrast, a higher intake of white meat was associated with a slightly reduced risk of death over the same period.

4. Gut Check: The Meat of the Problem

Two researchers at the University of Chicago estimated that switching to a vegan diet would have a bigger impact than trading in your gas guzzler for a Prius (PDF). A study out of Carnegie Mellon University found that the average American would do less for the planet by switching to a totally local diet than by going vegetarian one day a week.

5. Live Longer by Reducing Red Meat Intake

Eating large amounts of red or processed meat increases the risk of dying, new research involving more than half a million people shows.

The sheer size and quality of the study has led the Canadian Cancer Society to say it will be lowering its recommended limit on the amount of red and processed meats people should consume.

6. Less Meat Brings Heart, Climate Benefits, Says Professor

A Dutch cardiologist has added his voice to calls for a reduction in red meat consumption – both for the good of people’s hearts and for the good of the planet.

In recent months a number of reports have suggested that people in Western countries need to reduce their consumption of red meat, partly for health reasons and partly because meat consumption contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions – up to 18 per cent, according to estimates.

7. Vegetarians Less Likely to Develop Cancer, Say Researchers

Vegetarians will develop less blood, bladder and stomach cancer than meat eaters, according to new research published in the British Journal of Cancer.

The grouping of two studies featured more than 61,000 people over a timespan of 12 years and found they contracted less cancer, independent of factors such as smoking, alcohol use and obesity than those who consumed meat or fish or both.