This is a study that may displease followers of the vegetarian diet:according to researchers at the University of Bristol, they have a risk of depression twice as high as omnivores. The reason ? Vitamin and mineral deficiencies. This is the first time that a study has shown a link between mental health and going without meat and fish.
To reach these conclusions, the researchers studied 10,000 male volunteers, including 350 vegetarians or vegans. They looked to spot vitamin and mineral deficiencies and found that half of vegans and 7% of vegetarians were deficient in vitamin B12, which is known to play a role in mood regulation. At the same time, vegetarians and vegans tended to consume a lot of nuts, rich in omega-6, a fatty acid known for its pro-inflammatory action (unlike omega-3 which are anti-inflammatory) and whose excessive consumption can lead to cardiovascular disease, diabetes or… depressive symptoms.
Should we be worried? Not necessarily. The conclusion of this study (in which the share of vegetarians remains minimal) is that it is deficiencies and excesses that are bad. If one adopts a vegetarian or vegan diet while paying attention to nutritional balance, then the question should not arise...
