An analysis has shown that prohibiting meat consumption can be detrimental to mental health. Georgia Ed, a nutrition and metabolic psychiatrist at Harvard University in the United States, states, "Meat consumption is essential to supply nutrients to the brain and maintain health." This article explores the relationship between meat intake and mental health.

 

Contains nutrients necessary for brain health

 

Nutrients in meat are essential for brain health. Dr. Georgia Ed said, "The brain requires several other essential nutrients besides the representative nutrient in meat, protein, making it difficult to replace with plant-based foods." Protein can be sufficiently obtained from vegan foods such as lentils or broccoli, even if not from animal products like meat, eggs, or cheese.

 

However, ▲Vitamin B12 ▲Omega-3 fatty acids ▲Zinc ▲Choline ▲Iron ▲Iodine are difficult to obtain sufficiently from plant-based foods. Vitamin B12 in meat helps with oxygen-rich red blood cell and DNA formation, and is involved in regulating serotonin hormones that improve mood. Low serotonin levels increase the risk of depression and anxiety. Zinc has the effect of reducing brain inflammation. Dr. Ed said, "Meat is a food that contains all the nutrients we need in the proper form."

Research findings also suggest that a carnivorous diet is good for mental health.

 

Several studies have shown that people who consume meat have better mental health than those who do not. A research team from Southern Indiana University in the United States analyzed 18 studies to investigate the psychological health of meat consumers and meat avoiders. The participants consisted of 149,559 meat eaters and 8,584 meat avoiders.

 

According to the analysis, vegetarians and other meat-avoidant individuals had a 35.2% probability of developing depression, compared to 19.1% for those who consume meat. Meat-avoidant individuals had a 31.5% chance of developing anxiety disorders, whereas meat-eaters had an 18.4% chance. A study by a Brazilian research team analyzing 14,216 people aged 35 to 64 found that meat-avoidant individuals had a 2.37 times higher risk of depression than meat-eaters. A study from the University of Oxford in the United States also revealed that vegetarians, including vegans, are at higher risk of stroke due to vitamin B12 deficiency.

 

◇Both animal and plant-based foods should be consumed in appropriate amounts. In 2023, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reviewed over 500 research papers and more than 250 policy papers, concluding that animal-based foods are a primary source of essential nutrients. According to the analysis, meat consumption improves cognitive outcomes and prevents iron deficiency, which can cause dizziness, fatigue, and headaches.

 

Experts recommend consuming up to 72 grams of meat daily, while avoiding processed meats such as bacon and sausages. It is also not advisable to eat only specific food groups like meat. Gunter Kunle, a nutrition and food scientist at Reading University, stated, "Meat does not contain plant-based active compounds such as dietary fiber," and advised, "Do not focus solely on one extreme of nutrition; consume a variety of food groups."

 

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Meat (animal protein) is necessary for brain nutrition.

It seems to contain nutrients.

 

No wonder I don't really like meat.

I feel good when I eat, haha.

So, are you eating meat?