Is not eating meat good or bad for your mental health?

A new analysis suggests that abstaining from meat consumption can be detrimental to mental health. Georgia Ed, a nutrition and metabolic psychiatrist at Harvard University, says, "Meat consumption is essential for nourishing the brain and maintaining health." Let's explore the link between meat consumption and mental health.

 

◇Contains nutrients necessary for brain health

 

The nutrients found in meat are essential for brain health. Dr. Georgia Edd explains, "The brain requires many essential nutrients beyond protein, the primary nutrient found in meat, making it difficult to replace them with plant-based foods." Protein is readily available not only in non-animal foods like meat, eggs, and cheese, but also in vegan foods like lentils and broccoli.

 

However, it's difficult to get enough of ▲vitamin B12 ▲omega-3 fatty acids ▲zinc ▲choline ▲iron ▲iodine, etc. from plant-based foods. Vitamin B12 in meat helps form oxygen-rich red blood cells and DNA, and is involved in regulating the mood-boosting hormone serotonin. Low serotonin levels increase the risk of depression and anxiety. Zinc is effective in reducing brain inflammation. Dr. Ed said, "Meat is a food that contains all the nutrients we need in the right form."

◇Research results also show that eating meat is good for mental health

 

Several studies have shown that meat-eaters have better mental health than those who don't. A research team at the University of Southern Indiana analyzed 18 studies to examine the psychological health of meat consumers and meat-avoiders. Participants included 149,559 meat-eaters and 8,584 meat-avoiders.

 

The analysis results showed that 35.2% of vegetarians and other meat-eaters were at risk of depression, while 19.1% of meat-eaters were. 31.5% of meat-eaters were at risk of developing anxiety disorders, while 18.4% of meat-eaters were. A Brazilian research team analyzed 14,216 people aged 35 to 64 and found that meat-eaters were 2.37 times more likely to develop depression than meat-eaters. A study at Oxford University in the United States found that vegetarians, including vegans, are at a higher risk of stroke due to vitamin B12 deficiency.

 

◇Both animal and plant foods should be consumed in appropriate amounts. In 2023, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reviewed over 500 studies and 250 policy papers and concluded that animal products are a major source of essential nutrients. The analysis found that meat consumption improves cognitive outcomes and prevents iron deficiency, which can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, and headaches.

 

Experts recommend consuming up to 72 grams of meat daily, but avoiding processed meats like bacon or sausages. Eating only certain food groups, such as meat, is also not advisable. Gunter Kuhnle, a nutrition and food scientist at the University of Reading, said, "Meat lacks the fiber and other plant-based nutrients found in plant foods. Instead of going to extremes in nutrition, eat a variety of foods."

 

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Meat (animal protein) is necessary for brain nutrition.

Looks like it has nutrients

 

Even though I don't really like meat

I felt good when I ate it lol

So you eat meat?