Can a vegetarian diet increase or decrease your risk for depression? While the verdict is not entirely out, new research suggests that the answer is yes.

Study Summary

This new study, including 14,216 Brazilian adults, found that:

• Those who were vegetarian experienced more depressive episodes – twice as much as meat-eaters.
• This finding stayed the same regardless of nutrient deficiency status, other lifestyle factors and socioeconomic status.

However due to study design, no causal relationship can be concluded.

The Hearty Take

There could be several confounding reasons for these results that still need investigation; to confirm these results, more research is needed. Concerned about your diet? Reach out to your nutritionist!