Depression and mood swings are among the most common mental health problems. Medical researcher Neal Barnard has a straightforward suggestion: try cutting back on animal products like meat and dairy to boost your mood.
Anyone who’s experienced a sugar high (or the inevitable crash that follows) knows that food can influence our mood. But the link between meat and depression is not yet widely known. Barnard’s research suggests that people who eat little to no meat are less likely to be depressed than regular carnivores.
Add in more fruit and vegetables, and you’ve significantly cut your risk of becoming depressed. Barnard touts the mood-stabilizing effects of a plant-based diet. Soy products in particular have been shown to have an antidepressant effect.
The bottom line: consider stocking up on miso, tofu, and edamame. Your body will thank you. And so will your brain.
For a full run-down of the ways in which meat and processed foods can impact your health, visit our Instaread on Your Body in Balance.
