Hyderabad: Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli, known for his meticulous approach to fitness, might consider swapping chicken tikka for tofu if he wants to enhance his cover drives. A recent study by the University of Hyderabad (UoH) highlights compelling reasons to join the plant-based diet trend, citing benefits such as improved brain health and reduced levels of depression and anxiety. Published in the European Journal of Nutrition, the study underscores that adopting a vegetarian diet could also promote healthy aging.
“Switching to a vegetarian diet may effectively support cognitive health and emotional well-being. The consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains—staples of vegetarian diets—appears linked to lower instances of depression and anxiety,” stated Varalaxmi Manchana, lead researcher of the study conducted by a team from UoH’s School of Medical Sciences.
The study tracked 304 adults over six months, all aged 40 or older and comprising both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Analysis of their dietary habits revealed that vegetarians tend to consume higher levels of protein, calcium, folate, and vitamin C, while their intake of vitamin B12 is lower compared to meat and fish eaters, who consume more carbohydrates, sodium, riboflavin, iron, and vitamin B12.
“The increased protein intake among vegetarians suggests a potential positive impact on mental health, given the crucial role of adequate protein in overall brain function,” the study noted. Additionally, vegetarians exhibited higher levels of antioxidants and lower oxidative stress compared to non-vegetarians, factors contributing to enhanced cognitive function.
In the realm of nutritional psychiatry, the study concludes that sustained adherence to a vegetarian diet may lower the prevalence of depression. Varalaxmi highlighted the study’s significance in uncovering insights specific to cultural and regional contexts, underscoring its contribution to broader discussions on vegetarianism and cognition.
Varalaxmi, currently leading research on nutritional and physical interventions for healthy cognitive aging, emphasized the study’s potential to illuminate less-explored areas of vegetarianism’s impact on mental well-being.
