It may come as no surprise to individuals who take vegetable-based herbal supplements that consuming adequate amounts of produce can keep the body fit and energized. It may also shock few people that a new study has found that vegetarians have a lower risk of chronic disease.

Research published in the journal Diabetes Care found that individuals who ate a meat-free diet had a 25 percent risk of metabolic syndrome, compared to an approximate 40 percent likelihood for participants who ate meat.

Likewise, those who consumed mainly fruits and vegetables had a lower chance of experiencing heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke, according to researchers at Loma Linda University.

The team noted that these results were controlled for a number of health factors, including age, weight, race, gender, exercise, calories consumed, alcohol intake and smoking status. They added that metabolic syndrome – which consists of excess body weight, high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar and hardened arteries – is a widespread condition in the U.S.

Besides replacing processed foods and fatty meats with heaping portions of fresh produce, individuals who want to optimize their overall wellness may consider looking into dietary supplements and multivitamins.