Some people follow a vegetarian or vegan diet for health reasons. There are also those who choose to eat only plants due to protection of animals and environmental issues.
Becoming a vegetarian or vegan is not as easy as just eating vegetables and fruits. These plant-based dieters are also more at risk of experiencing emotional problems.
A study revealed that vegetarians and vegans were twice as likely to experience symptoms of depression as those who ate animal meat. ブラジルの研究者によって実施されたこの研究は、肉を含まない食事で発生したうつ病の症例数との間に正の相関関係があることを示しました.
The study used a survey method approach involving 14,216 participants aged between 36 and 74 years and was conducted for more than six months. Their diet was evaluated using the Clinical Interview Schedule-Revised instrument, a tool for diagnosing common mental health disorders.
The results of the study, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, showed that vegetarians were twice as likely to experience depressive episodes (a period when a person experiences symptoms of depression) than meat eaters, in the same time period.
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"Symptoms of depression were more common in individuals who did not eat meat, regardless of socioeconomic and lifestyle factors," the study concludes, as reported by the New York Post.
However, the study found no evidence of nutritional deficiencies due to a vegetarian diet being the cause. Researchers also can not explain why a vegetarian diet tends to make people more at risk of experiencing symptoms of depression.
"Nutrition does not explain this association. The underlying cause remains unclear, and longitudinal data (repeated measurements across different time periods) are needed to clarify this cause-and-effect relationship."
Similar research was also conducted in 2017 by a team of scientists from the University of Bristol, England. The results of the study at the time showed that vegetarians had higher depression scores than those who ate meat.
The study involved about 10,000 British men and 350 of them vegetarian dieters . It turned out that they had a higher average depression score than men who followed a balanced diet (consuming plant and animal foods -ed).
Researchers explain the lack of vitamins and minerals in non-meat foods to be the cause, because it triggers mental health disorders. Less meat intake means vitamin B12 deficiency and eating more nuts leads to higher omega-6 fatty acid levels. Both are linked to mental health issues and affect a person's mood.
Studies also reveal that lower seafood intake may lead to a greater risk of depressive symptoms. Plus the potential factor for high blood pressure due to excess levels of phytoestrogens obtained from foods such as vegetables and soy.
However, the results of this study are still limited because it only applies to men. There needs to be further research on this.