Do Vegans Really Live Longer Than Meat Eaters?

Considering today is World Vegan Day, all we've heard all day is that being vegan is better for your health, the environment, and ultimately your lifespan.

We reckon it's common enough knowledge that the first two are true, but is it true that vegans live longer than meat eaters?

PETA published an article examining a Californian study that seems to prove that veggies and vegans live longer...

Although the research—which originally began in 1958 and includes various studies on Seventh-day Adventists, who typically eat a plant-based diet as part of their religious beliefs—is only halfway finished, the results suggest that, on average, vegetarian men and women live 9.5 and 6.1 years longer, respectively, than their meat-eating counterparts.

Several other studies have similar results, however it looks like the longer lifespan is largely due to the fact that vegans practice a healthier lifestyle in general: no smoking, not much alcohol, and increased exercise.