Search on for sexiest vegan

It’s great to see a front-page story (“Vegan diet tied to fewer deaths,” Inquirer, 6/5/13) confirming what the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) has been saying ever since it launched its vegetarian campaign in the Philippines many years ago: Being vegetarian is the best thing you can do for your own health, animals and the environment!

A new study by American scientists suggests that a vegetarian diet is the key to a long, healthy life. The research—which used data from over 70,000 people—found that people who eat a plant-based diet are less likely to die of heart disease or any other cause over any period of time.

That’s not surprising. Plant-based foods are cholesterol-free and high in fiber, vitamins, complex carbohydrates, and cancer-fighting antioxidants. Repeated studies have shown that 90 percent of Filipinos are lactose intolerant, meaning they cannot digest the sugars found in milk (yet another reason to go vegan!). Other studies have shown that vegetarians live an average of six to 10 years longer than meat-eaters. Vegan foods are kinder and more eco-friendly too, so whether you’re looking to increase your life expectancy or you just want to eat more ethically, bypass the meat counter and head for the produce section.

As timing would have it, we’ve just launched our Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity contest this week. You can go to PETAAsiaPacific.com and pick your favorite out of the 300 celebrities listed, including Amanda Griffin Jacob, Natalie Portman, Geneva Cruz, Jason Mraz, Sir Paul McCartney and former US president Bill Clinton, all of whom follow a plant-based diet.

—JASON BAKER,

vice president of international operations,

People for the Ethical

Treatment of Animals-Asia,

Unit 706, Fedman Building,

199 Salcedo St., Legaspi Village,

Makati City 1229