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Of the participants, 4111 were vegetarian as in those who did not eat red meat, poultry or fish; 166,516 were meat-eaters.
The UK Biobank study was completed by researchers from the University of Glasgow. It looked at the biomarkers of people aged between 37 and 73 and found lower levels of biomarkers in vegetarians that can lead to cell damage and chronic disease.
Researchers analysed the association with 19 urine and blood biomarkers related to diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, liver, bone and joint health, and kidney function.
From the human nutrition department of Otago University, Dr Ali Hill explained what biomarkers were and what this research might reveal.