
The study surveyed 14,216 participants aged 35 to 74 years over six months to draw the conclusion.
According to a new study by Brazilian researchers, people on veggie diets experience depressive episodes twice as frequently as meat eaters
The research published in the Journal of Affective Disorders claims there’s a “positive association between the prevalence of depressive episodes and a meatless diet.”
Study
The researchers surveyed 14,216 participants aged 35 to 74 years over six months, to determine any potential association between a meatless diet and depression among adults.
Responses were evaluated using the Clinical Interview Schedule-Revised instrument, a tool used to diagnose common mental health disorders.
The data gathered indicated that participants who excluded meat from their diet experienced double the number of depressive episodes as meat eaters.
Researchers accounted for variables such as smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity and micronutrient intake before tabulating the information.
The authors concluded: “Depressive episodes are more prevalent in individuals who do not eat meat, independently of socioeconomic and lifestyle factors.”
While the authors linked increased frequency of depressive episodes to meatless diets, they acknowledged the ambiguity in the study and added that “ the nature of the association remains unclear, and longitudinal data are needed to clarify causal relationship.”
Other studies
While this study appears to advocate meat for better mood and mental health, a number of studies show the opposite is true.
A 2015 study indicated that vegans experience less stress and anxiety than meat and dairy-eaters. It concluded: “A strict plant-based diet does not appear to negatively impact mood, in fact, reduction of animal food intake may have mood benefits.”
A separate Harvard analysis reported: “A dietary pattern characterized by a high intake of fruit, vegetables, whole grain, fish, olive oil, low-fat dairy and antioxidants and low intakes of animal foods was apparently associated with a decreased risk of depression.”
Whereas: “A dietary pattern characterized by a high consumption of red and/or processed meat, refined grains, sweets, high-fat dairy products, butter, potatoes and high-fat gravy, and low intakes of fruits and vegetables is associated with an increased risk of depression.”
In a meta-analysis published in Psychosomatic Medicine, researchers reviewed 16 studies that reported effects of healthful dietary interventions on depression and anxiety.
They found that diets low in processed meats and high in fruit and vegetables led to significantly decreased symptoms of depression, compared with control diets.
They concluded that: “Increased intake of fiber, minerals, and vitamins from plant-based foods may improve pathways related to depression, including inflammation and oxidative stress”.
Share this story: New study claims vegans and vegetarians depressed twice as often as meat-eaters.
Lifestyle
Vegan culture, food, beauty & more
Is Tobey Maguire vegan? Here’s what we know
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 17th August 2023
Tobey Maguire often speaks about veganism and animal issues. Tobey Maguire, the actor best known for playing Spider-Man in the Sam Raimi trilogy, is a vegan. He has been a vegetarian since 1992 and became a vegan in 2009. A lifelong commitment to animal rights Maguire’s decision to go vegan was motivated by his love …
Continue reading “Is Tobey Maguire vegan? Here’s what we know”
Plant-based food jobs surge with 32% growth in just 3 months
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 17th August 2023
The number of open jobs advertised in the plant-based industry increased by almost a third from April to July 2023, GlobalData reported. The plant-based food industry is booming, and this is reflected in the number of job openings in the sector. According to data from GlobalData, the number of open jobs advertised in the plant-based …
Continue reading “Plant-based food jobs surge with 32% growth in just 3 months”
VEGAN MEMES
NEED A LAUGH?
QUIZZES
All the quizzes you love to binge!
QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert
- Marlon Farrugia
- 10th January 2020
How much vegan knowledge do you have stored away? Do you have to Google your way through a shopping trip, or do you have all the bad E-numbers memorised? Find out now with this quiz. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …
Continue reading “QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert”
QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 13th October 2019
Spook Season approaches. There will be ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and glucose. You need a costume, and you want to it to show off your personality, which means VEGAN. But what to choose? Take our quiz to find out your perfect outfit. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a …
Continue reading “QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?”
QUIZ: What kind of vegetable are you?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 26th September 2019
“If you were a vegetable, what kind would you be?” A question that has tormented humanity throughout the ages – until now. Read: QUIZ: If you score 19/20 on THIS quiz, you’re a Vegan God Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …