Eating meat IMPROVES mental health and one in three vegetarians are depressed

So says this article:

A vegetarian or vegan diet may be increasing the likelihood of depression, a US-based study has found. People with a plant-based diet were twice as likely to take prescription drugs for mental illness and nearly three times as likely to contemplate suicide. The report, which looked at more than 160,000 people, also found that a shocking one in three vegetarians suffer from depression or anxiety.

www.dailymail.co.uk...

Researchers reviewed 18 studies examining the relationship between mental health and eating meat, involving a total of 160,257 participants. They concluded that vegetarians and vegans had 'significantly' higher rates or risk of depression, anxiety and self harm. The researchers suggest that avoiding meat may be a 'behavioural marker' indicating people already with poor mental health. This is a suggestion that requires more research to back it up, the researchers say. University of Alabama researchers write in the study: 'Those who avoided meat consumption had significantly higher rates or risk of depression, anxiety, and/or self-harm behaviours. 'Our study does not support a
voiding meat consumption for overall psychological health benefits.'

Not much to add, just thought was worth posting about. I'm a meat eater myself but do eat veg aswell and always thought a good mix of both is needed.

Hope we didnt waste to much money on that no brainer research...

a reply to: CrazeeWorld777

So basically that survey doesn't suggest that eating meat or simply eating a vegetarian/vegan diet makes you one way or the other. What it does seem to suggest is that people who are mentally unstable to begin with are drawn to the selective diets for whatever reason. In other words, a mentally unstable person seems more likely to identify as vegan or vegetarian and then adopt that diet.

Now what would be interesting if they carried that study out for other highly restrictive specialty diets. What about the gluten free craze for example? While I know that gluten intolerance is a legit thing, I also know that there are far fewer gluten intolerant people than there are people claiming to need to be gluten free.

I would be depressed as well if I couldnt have bacon anymore. Like what person puts self toture on themselves to not be able to have bacon. I don't know if people understand how good bacon is.

And whats more I work with all these vegetarians and at lunch in the breakroom its like a green house. So you are telling me that you would rather eat a peice of Kale then bacon! (Yeah mental health problems for sure!) just kidding. maybe not.

a reply to: American-philosopher

Eh, I like all my food.

Sometimes, especially in the summer when it's blazing hot out, a good salad is exactly what the doctor ordered.

While I know that gluten intolerance is a legit thing, I also know that there are far fewer gluten intolerant people than there are people claiming to need to be gluten free

a reply to: ketsuko

once again you are so right. Like everybody needs to be gluten free now? some restaurants have dedicated a large portion of their menu for "gluten free" options.

originally posted by: American-philosopher

While I know that gluten intolerance is a legit thing, I also know that there are far fewer gluten intolerant people than there are people claiming to need to be gluten free

a reply to: ketsuko

once again you are so right. Like everybody needs to be gluten free now? some restaurants have dedicated a large portion of their menu for "gluten free" options.

With the gluten free, there were a bunch of health claims made that went with it. Do you not feel good? If you don't, then maybe it's because you're gluten intolerant. There was that book "Wheat Belly" that came out. I recall my aunt reading it and then trying to chuck all of her bread and stuff out and bemoaning how even chewing gum had wheat on it!

I'm not sure what all was said in that book, but it must have been seriously scary.

But you could see people who just don't feel good for whatever reasons gravitating toward things like that and telling themselves that they're gluten intolerant or that it's the meat in their diet making them feel that way, and then they adopt the restrictive diet as a means of self-medicating.

a reply to: ketsuko

But these people (my co workers) everyday are eating kale or whatever greenery they can find. we have a team function and guess what the food options are for the team function?

I am almost positive these people ( I should probably stop saying these people) after work are probably going home and eating meat. But when there at work they have to put on there goody to shoe front and social image front infront of everybody.

a reply to: ketsuko

What it does seem to suggest is that people who are mentally unstable to begin with are drawn to the selective diets for whatever reason. In other words, a mentally unstable person seems more likely to identify as vegan or vegetarian and then adopt that diet.

It's about control. Just like anorexia and bulimia are about control more so than the food. When people can't control their own thoughts and emotions they control what they can.

a reply to: CrazeeWorld777

Interestingly enough the Quran says if you don't eat meat you'll end up lacking courage.

It also recommends honey against diseases .

That's for you op.

Now , none of you inbred hicks give me any # for mentioning that like last time.

a reply to: ketsuko

this is the best answer in thread

a reply to: CrazeeWorld777

Simple healthy and balanced diet: eat vegetarians

Let me blow this myth about vegan or vegetarianism. Humans evolved from and to be meat eaters. That's what our teeth are designed for. Incisors for biting/cutting meat. Dog teeth for gripping meat and molars for chewing meat.
If we had evolved just to eat plants and seeds we would have teeth like Elephants, and that is what we aint got.

in 2020 - a vast majority of the population - is eating far too much meat - as well as too much food in general .

you certainly dont need meat - in huge portions every meal - every day

demonising vegitarian meal plans - just because of deranged vegan cultists - is just as insane as they are

my current diet - limits red meat , reduces all other animal products [ milk and butter are allowed - as i dont use them much anyway ] and my protien is primary fish , rabbit and chicken - with protien rich plant options rounding out the total

once you categorise steaks or bacon - are luxuries - not staples - its not hard

originally posted by: ignorant_ape

you certainly dont need meat - in huge portions every meal - every day

demonising vegitarian meal plans - just because of deranged vegan cultists - is just as insane as they are

I did not take anything said so far as "demonizing vegetarian meal plans." Indeed, the conclusion seems to be that people who are already depressed or mentally unstable seem attracted to vegetarianism/veganism. It could be that the plant-based diets have nothing to do with it, but that it being still somewhat contrarian that is the attractor.

Kind of like people attracted to conspiracy sites. They are a little off to begin with.

a reply to: ignorant_ape

Steaks and Bacon are not luxuries. Why would they be luxuries as opposed to other meaths? Steaks and bacon are the essence of life and I eat as much of both as I can. High protein is good for you.

I can believe the study. I am at my happiest when I have a well marbled and fatty 16oz slab of ribeye with a charred crust, pink middle, dollop of butter, salt & pepper with a big ass baked potato stuffed with more butter, chives, and cheese.

I'd be depressed too if all I could eat is rabbit food...

Doesn't take a Ph.D and a million dollar grant to know the outcome of this study...

a reply to: MRinder

Exactly.

We need air, water, steak & bacon, and sex.

a reply to: ketsuko

So in other words this is anti-vegan pro-meat clickbait? Ill be looking into this more and im trying to find who funded this study as industry funded studys are far too common in the meat vs veggies debate.

Maybe it's just because i am on my phone, but dailymail is not citing any study links or anything else of substance.