We document this relationship in three data sets, covering approximately 80,000 randomly selected British individuals, and for seven measures of well-being (life satisfaction, WEMWBS mental well-being, GHQ mental disorders, self-reported health, happiness, nervousness, and feeling low). Well-being peaks at approximately 7 portions per day. The pattern is remarkably robust to adjustment for a large number of other demographic, social and economic variables. 'In cross-sectional data, happiness and mental health rise in an approximately dose-response way with the number of daily portions of fruit and vegetables. In some studies, participants were also instructed to eat more nuts and seeds.Ī study by the National Bureau of Economic Research, Is Psychological Well-being Linked to the Consumption of Fruit and Vegetables?, found a link between the consumption of fruit and vegetables and high wellbeing: While only one dietary intervention was completely plant-based, all counselled participants to decrease their intake of ultraprocessed foods such as packaged snacks, pre-prepared meals, instant noodles, soft drinks and ice cream, as well as most animal products, and to eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Those who were in the intervention group reported significantly improved depression, anxiety and productivity compared to those in the control group 4.Ī 2019 meta-analysis of data from 16 randomised controlled trials on a total of nearly 46,000 participants found that dietary interventions that aim to decrease the intake of unhealthy foods, improve nutrient intake, and/or produce weight loss reduce symptoms of depression across the population. Their mood was measured using the Short Form-36 questionnaire, whilst work productivity was measured using the Work Productivity and Impairment questionnaire. Some participants were given instructions to follow a vegan diet for 18 weeks and some were given no instructions. The study incorporated 10 worksites of a major US insurance company and 292 subjects with a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 25, and/or a previous diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes. In 2015, a separate study examining whether a plant-based diet improves depression, anxiety and productivity was published in the American Journal of Health Promotion. The results of the study indicate that female vegans report significantly lower average scores in stress compared to non-vegans, whilst male vegans report lower average anxiety scores 3. The mood of 602 subjects (283 vegans, 109 vegetarians and 228 omnivores) was measured using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Based on the 2007 data on the growth rate of mental health costs, it is estimated that the total cost in Australia has now reached $30 billion.Įxploring possible links between vegan diets and mental wellbeing, the Nutritional Neuroscience Journal published findings from a study that investigated the difference in mood amongst selected participants. Similarly, the number of GP visits for mental health reasons in 2007 was estimated at nearly 12 million 1. In the same period, aside from the direct effect of population growth, the overall number of mental health services subsidised by Medicare doubled to nearly 4 million cases, and State and Territory mental health service expenditure as a whole increased to $3 billion. This figure includes the cost of lost productivity and labour force participation. A number of studies have been carried out highlighting the significant difference in the mental wellbeing of participants who were eating a vegan diet compared to those who were not.Īccording to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the annual cost of mental illness in Australia for 2007 was $20 billion 1.

On a positive note, mental illness like many physical illnesses, may improve under a well balanced whole food plant based diet 3,4. Whilst the Australian Government subsidises some mental health care costs, the burden on the community and individuals alike, is rising.

Life is undoubtedly difficult for people affected by mental illness they need to deal with the disorder in order to function in their everyday lives, and cope with the financial expense of getting treatment.

If left untreated, many disorders may increase in severity or even lead to suicide 2. Mental disorders may include depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, generalised anxiety and eating disorders. Can a vegan diet improve mental health and help cut health care costs? Recent Australian research considers the links between vegan diets and mental wellbeing.įorty-five percent of adult Australians aged 16-85 years will suffer from a mental illness at some point in their lifetime 1.

Are vegans healthier than omnivores