High compliance with vegetarian diets may improve an individual's chances of avoiding premature deaths.

​This study assessed the impact of dietary choices on mortality risk. Researchers tracked the diets and mortality records of more than 12,000 middle-aged adults who participated in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. 

After 31-year of follow-up, researchers noted that strict adherence to plant-based diets decrease the likelihood of dying from cardiovascular disease by 31-32% and other causes by 18-25%. In conclusion, following a pro-vegetarian diet may help slash total and cardiovascular mortality risk significantly.