Drinking plant-based milk "increases risk of depression", says study
Vegans could be more likely to be depressed because they drink plant-based milk, according to a recent study.
Data collected from more than 350,000 participants enrolled in a UK Biobank study found that those who drank semi-skimmed cow’s milk were at a lower risk of both anxiety and depression compared with plant-milk drinkers.
Here’s what we know so far.
The research
Scientists from the Southern Medical University in China, who conducted the study, looked at data for 357,568 people aged between 36 and 73 – following their lives and habits over a decade to assess changes in and signs of mental health problems.
During that time, 13,065 were diagnosed with depression, and 13,339 with anxiety.
The results
The results of the study, published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, found that those who drank semi-skimmed milk were 12 per cent less likely to be depressed and 10 per cent less likely to have anxiety.
Those who consumed plant-based milks, such as soya and almond, were found to have a 14 per cent increased chance of depression.
‘Milk is a rich source of nutrients such as lactose, lipids, protein, and minerals, which are essential for maintaining human health,’ the scientists from the Southern Medical University wrote.
Milk is also a rich source of calcium, which has previously been found to help the body increase the production of serotonin, they added.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter (a messenger chemical that carries signals between nerve cells in the brain). It plays a role in influencing mood and mental health. Most antidepressant medications work by promoting the absorption of serotonin
What does this mean for us?
Since milk is rich in saturated fats (and semi-skimmed has a lower level of these molecules than full-fat milk), and eating too much saturated fats in your diet has been linked to an increased risk of depression, scientists say this could perhaps explain why semi-skimmed – but not full-fat milk – is good for mental health.
‘The fatty acid profile of semi-skimmed milk might provide greater cerebral protection compared to full cream milk and skimmed milk, thereby potentially reducing the risk of both depression and anxiety,’ the scientists wrote in the study.
So next time you find yourself opting for a bowl of cereal for breakfast, perhaps pairing it with semi-skimmed milk could provide the "sweet spot" for serotonin absorption, without excessive saturated fat intake.
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