We found a positive association between the prevalence of depressive episodes and a meatless diet. Meat non-consumers experienced approximately twice the frequency of depressive episodes of meat consumers, PRs ranging from 2.05 (95%CI 1.00–4.18) in the crude model to 2.37 (95%CI 1.24–4.51) in the fully adjusted model.
Limitations.
The cross-sectional design precluded the investigation of causal relationships.
Conclusions
Depressive episodes are more prevalent in individuals who do not eat meat, independently of socioeconomic and lifestyle factors. Nutrient deficiencies do not explain this association. The nature of the association remains unclear, and longitudinal data are needed to clarify causal relationship.
Not surprising. I like vegetables, but tell me that’s all I can eat and I’m going to be depressed.
Could it be that the herbivores get depressed more often because aren’t getting the accolades and praise they think they deserve for “saving the planet”?
Or perhaps they are just more mentally tipped to begin with.
Haha! I would not be surprised if it is because the choice to be a vegetarian could be a symptom of the type of extremism that cultivates depression and/or personality disorders. i.e. the cause and effect is backwards. People who choose to be herbivores (which humans are not) already have depressive personalities to begin with.