BEEF MAKES US HAPPY? VEGETARIANS HAVE DOUBLE THE RISK OF DEPRESSION
Depression is a word that is being used more and more recently. We learn more and more about it every day, even as we try to find more ways to treat it safely. And with the new pandemic times, this will only be more of a concern with long Covid and other Rona issues. But one study has made truly remarkable finding. Some will find it controversial (and you will know who they are!). The Journal of Affective Disorders just published the study, which found that beef, of all things, is the only food that lowers the risk of depression. So much so, that vegetarians are twice as likely to suffer from depression!
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IF I WAS A VEGETARIAN, I’D HAVE DEPRESSION EVERY DAY, EVERY WEEK, EVERY MONTH
So all you vegetarians, don’t freak out completely before hearing about the methodology. The study asked over 14,000 people in Brazil, aged 35-74, if they were vegetarians. They then interviewed them all to log their episodes of depression. They also took into consideration other lifestyle factors, like exercise, smoking habits or alcohol, BMI, etc. After going thru the data in context to each individual’s interviews, the study found that meatless diets was associated with people having twice as many episodes of depression. While that is a rather shocking finding, there are some logical explanations.
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BEEF HAS A LOT OF NUTRIENTS THAT FIGHT DEPRESSION, HELP WITH COGNITIVE HEALTH
Beef in particular has a number of important nutrients, like iron, vitamin B, zinc and protein. All of those help us have better brain function. The authors of the study don’t think the nutrient factors explain their findings. But several nutritionists say that the lack of those nutrients can have significant impacts on physiological as well as cognitive health. I eat meat, and have a harder time with mood if I don’t exercise regularly as well. But vegetarians don’t need to start eating a T-bone every week. Not yet, at least. The research will continue to learn more about meatless diets and the risk of depression.
But I am going to have a burger tonight.
