Researchers have newly discovered a surprising and potentially significant reason why eating foods frequently cooked at high temperatures, such as red meat and deep-fried fare, elevates cancer risk. The alleged culprit: DNA within the food that's been damaged by the cooking process.
I think what they meant by “being a vegetarian is healthier” is from the point of conclusion from this study referencing lower cancer (and all cause-mortality in referenced analysis) rates for plant based vs animal containing diets. I agree it’s a tough claim to make since a vegetarian diet could literally just be oreos for 3 meals a day, but if I had to guess what they meant, it’s probably what I mentioned.
More info from actual study here
I’ll have you know we don’t just eat Oreos. That’s crazy. I have a (very) well rounded diet of Fritos, Lay’s potato chips, nutter butters, sour patch kids… And Oreos.
That is some damn great food diversity if I’ve ever seen it
Oh, I see! Sorry, I only read the linked summary, didn’t notice there was more!
They do reference a study about the risk of cancer depending on diet, and that it would support their conclusion that plant matter produces less DNA damage (therefore, less cancer on vegetarians). I see now where the other comment was coming from, thanks.