Study: Plant-based, vegan diets reduce depression symptoms

CINCINNATI (WKRC) – New research is showing a relationship between food and your mood. If you are thinking of cutting back on meat, you might not get just a body benefit — you might get a brain benefit too.

This study in the British Medical Journal says a plant-based diet might hold the secret to more happiness. In this study, researchers were looking at those who have a higher disposition toward depression: those with type 2 diabetes.

After reviewing 11 studies with more than 400 participants, those who ate either a plant-based diet or went completely vegan were found to have improved moods compared to those who did not eat this way. They found that depression symptoms went down within about seven months of eating this way.

It’s not known why eating this way may have reduced depression symptoms. It may be that good health habits are contagious, meaning if you cut back on, for example, burgers do you also cut back on french fries? Or do you start giving your body nutrients you need in fruits and vegetables that we know play a role in your emotional health?

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