A study in The Nutrition Journal showed that a plant-based diet improved mood and lowered stress. The study went by asking 39 meat eaters to eat one of three diets, either a vegetarian diet, a meat-based diet or a meat and fish-based diet. After just two weeks it showed that the group eating a vegetarian diet had a better score in tests that measured depression, anxiety and stress.
This knowledge is more amazing than you may think. Stress and depression is a big problem in the western world. Plant food is high in antioxidants and phytochemical, these are shown to help repair unbalanced hormones from the brain along with brain inflammation. The phytochemical called quercetin is working as an antidepressant since its decreasing levels of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. These are the chemicals that regulate our mood. Onion, kale, berries, apples and grapes are plant food items with high level of Quercetin.
Depression is linked to inflammation in the brain.
People that suffer from depression has a high level of Monoamine Oxidase which is an enzyme. What this enzyme does is breaking down serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. The quercetin works an blockage for Monoamine Oxidase and this is why it works as an antidepressant.
The type of fat called arachidonic is only found in animals. This type of fat is shown to promote inflammatory chemicals in our body. By eating animal products that are high in this type of fat you increase the risk of inflammation in your body. Feelings of anxiety, depression and stress starts to appear when inflammation reaches the brain.
By eating plant-based you can potentially reduce your chances of getting inflammation in the brain along with increasing your chances of a better mood in general.
Working with mindfulness together with a healthy vegan can help dramatically on happiness and mood swings. Also making room for your passion will giv your life more joy. Mindfulness and positive-thinking has also shown to promote better athletic abilities.
https://www.pcrm.org/news/health-nutrition/vegetarian-diets-improve-mood-and-lower-stress