Vegetarians, those who avoid meat, represent 5% of the US population, and vegans, additionally avoiding dairy and eggs, 2%.

Vegetarian diets confer protection against

• cardiovascular diseases,
• cardiometabolic risk factors,
• some cancers, 
• total mortality.

Compared to lacto-ovo-vegetarian diets, vegan diets seem to offer additional protection for

• obesity,
• hypertension,
• type-2 diabetes, 
• cardiovascular mortality.

Males experience greater health benefits than females.