Meat Free Monday One day a week can make a world of difference

Meat Free Monday makes you happier – fact!

Eating less meat improves your mood, according to a new report - which means joining Meat Free Monday can boost your happiness. Research carried out by nutrition experts at Arizona State University suggests that vegetarians are happier than omnivores.

Posted : 20 June 2011

The report asked a cross-section of 138 people in the southwest United States (all Seventh Day Adventists, strangely) to answer questions related to food and mood, and found the meat-free members were more likely to look on the bright side of life.

This despite a seeming lack of omega-3 fatty acids in their diet. Commonly found in fish, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids are known to improve brain function and alleviate the symptoms of depression.

But the research suggests that vegetables, which are high in short-chain omega-3 fatty acids including linolenic and linoleic acid, have an equally powerful positive effect on mood.

Other types of food are also high in short-chain omega-3, including walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts and flaxseed oil.

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