Since eating a more plant-based diet benefits the body physically, it's not such a reach to correlate it to an improved psychological state as well. I know that since I started consuming a plant-based diet, I have lost weight, slept better, and generally feel better. I also think that speaking with others about vegetarianism/veganism and promoting a healthier lifestyle has improved my world outlook. For these reasons, I would say that I feel better about who I am and the impact that I have on people around me, the animals, and the environment. I have rarely had any truly chronic depressive symptoms, so I can't really speak to that aspect of the study. I think that as people begin consuming the diet that is best for our physiology, many other positive benefits also follow. 

 

There also has been scholarly research linking arachidonic acid production to inflammation. Naturally increased bodily inflammation is indicative of several bodily problems. For the layperson (like me), here's an essay by Dr. Case Adams on that subject. http://voices.yahoo.com/diets-high-arachidonic-acid-lead-increased-inflammation-5627168.html?cat=51

If I may add my 2 cents, yes its absolutely true, not that I ever tasted anything else other than veg. There are countless studies that relate mood with food. Meat is a heat-producing product which instantly manipulates mood receptors negatively. Also while for some people a full stomach might lead to a temporal satisfaction, the same will lead to a dissatisfaction - craving for more food, just a couple of hours later. This is not out of hunger but it's the body's way of signalling it's unhappy whilst giving a wrong impulse. Vegetables and fruits on the other hand, are easy to digest and delivers core nutrients without generating wrong impulses within the body. A clean stomach as a result leads to a calm happy mind. As simple as that. In a way, man was meant to be vegetarian for his own good.

The only food or drinks that have ever affected my mood are caffeine and alcohol. Unlike many others here, I didn't experience any physical or emotional changes after going veg, apart from a more regular bathroom schedule, which I'm assuming is just from the increased fiber intake.

--Fromper

I so rarely get to use "whilst" when writing. Well done!

Hard to say for me too as I started meditating around the same time I became vegan. Any personality changes in me could be attributable to either change in my life.

 

Thanks, yes I prefer the old school way of expression :)

 

Both are equally effective in improving the way of life and our thoughts I'm sure. While meditation is a form of psychological training, diet is biological and both work in tandem

 

I agree. If you ignore one in favor of the other (or disregard both entirely) great imbalances occur. 

 

 

 

Aristede 

Truth be told, given the close relationship between food and our mental state, I consider both of them to be training in compassion.