Sure having a diet that consists heavily of red meat has plenty of problems such as higher chances of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and yada, yada, yada. But totally giving up meat all together sounds like literal Hell on Earth. No more bacon cheeseburgers, no more juicy steaks with chimichurri sauce, no more pepperoni pizzas. Just thinking about not having glorious bacon in my life is making me very unhappy. So just think of the torture of never having meat ever, ever, ever again. You would surmise that it would have some behavioral consequences. Science says that people who give up meat are more depressed.
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The Bristol University conducted a study and found vegetarians scored a higher than average depression score. The study examined nearly 10,000 British men and the 350 men in the research were committed vegetarians and vegans. Those 350 poor souls had a higher average depression score compared to the men on a conventional balanced diet who enjoyed tremendous foods such as fried chicken sandwiches and tacos with crispy carnitas. Well, no shit.
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The researchers say the shortage of vitamins and minerals in the vegetarians’ diet had a negative their mental health. A lack of meat meant a lack of vitamin B12 and eating more nuts leads to higher levels of omega-6 fatty acids, which both are linked to mental health problems and influence people’s moods. “Lower intakes of seafood are thought to be associated with greater risk of depressive symptoms,” the study stated. “Other potential factors include high blood levels of phytoestrogens, consequent mainly on diets rich in vegetables and soy.”
Another study, this one in Germany, also found a connection between a vegan diet and depression. The study of 4,100 people, found those who practiced a vegan or vegetarian diet had a 15% higher level of predisposition to depressive behavior.
Think of a life without fatty, salty, delectable pork belly. Scary thought right there.
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I’m getting depressed not having this steak right at this second.
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PETA Dared To Ask Why People Would Want To Eat Bacon And It Got Real Ugly, Real Fast