Impact of vegetarianism on cognition and neuropsychological status among urban community-dwelling adults in Telangana, South India: a cross-sectional study

• Published in: European journal of nutrition Vol. 63; no. 4; pp. 1089 - 1101
• Main Authors: Bojang, Keotshepile Precious, Manchana, Varalakshmi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.06.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Anxiety; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Cognitive ability; Data collection; Long-term effects; Mental depression; Neuropsychology; Nutrition; Original Contribution; Questionnaires; Vegetarian diet; Vegetarianism; Cognition; Nutrition; Plant-based diet; Mental health; Vegetarianism
• ISSN: 1436-6207; 1436-6215
• DOI: 10.1007/s00394-024-03328-8

Purpose The potential benefits of vegetarian diets in reducing cognitive impairment have garnered attention due to existing mixed results; hence, our study aims to examine the impact of vegetarianism on cognitive function and neuropsychological status among urban community-dwelling adults from Telangana. Methods The dietary patterns were self-reported and dietary data collected using a Food Frequency Questionnaire while cognitive function was assessed using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS-21) questionnaire for psychological measures. Adults ( N  = 304) aged 40 years and above, who followed either a vegetarian or non-vegetarian diet for at least 6 months prior to data collection, scored MMSE ≥ 19 indicating mild cognitive impairment, and were recruited using convenience sampling. Results Among the participants, vegetarians ( n  = 155) exhibited significantly better mood states compared to non-vegetarians ( n  = 149), as indicated by lower scores on the DASS subscales for depression (10.0 ± 0.06 vs. 17.0 ± 0.07, p  =  < 0.001), anxiety (4.0 ± 0.05 vs. 6.0 ± 0.07, p  = 0.005), and stress (8.0 ± 0.02 vs. 10.0 ± 0.05, p  = 0.007). Vegetarians also demonstrated superior cognitive functioning compared to non-vegetarians, as indicated by higher MMSE scores (26.0 ± 0.04 vs. 24.0 ± 0.03, p  =  < 0.001). MMSE scores were inversely correlated with depression, anxiety, and stress for vegetarians ( ρ  = − 0.371, p  = 0.000; ρ  = − 0.027, p  = 0.734; and ρ  = − 0.105, p  = 0.914), respectively. Similar to the vegetarians group, MMSE scores were negatively correlated with depression ( ρ  = − 0.059), but the correlation is not significant. Conclusion Vegetarianism exerted a positive influence on the cognitive and neuropsychological status of the investigated population. Nevertheless, additional research is required to comprehend the underlying mechanisms that elucidate the long-term effects of vegetarianism and plant-based nutritional interventions on brain health.