Earlier, it was believed that eating high-quality meat makes you smart. Also, following a vegan diet might not give you essential nutrients and vitamins that are required by the body. Vegans do not get vitamin B12, which could be found only in animal products.

In a study, it was revealed that vitamin B12 is linked with a person’s IQ. An experiment was conducted, and it was found that people having low B12 have a problem with their thinking skills. They also have pale skin and have more mood swings.

When Mahatma Gandhi (a Famous Vegetarian in History) Ate Meat

It was in the late 1800s when India’s superhero Mahatma Gandhi ate meat for the first time in his life. He belonged to a strict Vaishnava Hindu and never ate meat. Apart from Mahatma Gandhi, these people also promote an animal-friendly lifestyle. According to experts, the brain eats 20% of our daily calories, even though it accounts for only 2% weight.

During that time, it was believed that meat makes you physically and mentally strong. Today it is a different story. This thinking is now considered to be outdated. The latest statistics suggest that over 375 million vegetarians exist on the planet. Prehistoric humans ate meat, but this alone is not the reason for their brain development.

Recent evidence shows that people in Palaeolithic times ate a more plant-based diet. They ate figs, leafy vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Also, Neolithic farmers were depended heavily on plant protein.

Several Tests Were Conducted to Know How a Vegan Diet Could Affect Brain Development

Today, when people and celebs are sharing their vegan transformation stories, a recent headline about a vegan diet shocked everyone. It is headlined that following a vegan diet could stunt brain development and cause irreversible damage to the nervous system.

Also, back in 2016, the German Society of Nutrition said vegan diets are not good for pregnant women and children. But what do you think- is the absence of meat damaging our intellects or a fear of the unknown? To test the impact of a vegan diet on the brain: several experiments were conducted.

Around 555 Kenyan school children were fed with one of the three soups: one soup with meat, one with oil, and one with milk for over seven terms. They were tested to compare their intelligence. You would be surprised to know that children who were given soup with meat outperformed other children in a test. This is not the only reason to eat meat. But this raises a question about people who are strict vegans and vegetarians.

Essential Brain Nutrients That Do Not Exist in Plants Could be Extracted from Non-Animal Sources

Creatine, taurine, and DHA (omega-3) could be found in plants. But Vitamin B12 and D3 are usually found in animal products. However, these nutrients could be synthesized in the lab or extracted from nonanimal sources such as bacteria or lichen.

People could make up with D3 when the body is exposed to sunshine; however, it doesn’t balance the minimum amount required by the body. On the other hand, Creatine, which is found in shakes, has a natural function to supply energy to the body cells. It reduces mental fatigue and improves memory.

Final Words

If you are vegan, then make sure that you balance the essential nutrient and vitamins in the body. Replace the elements found in the animal products by consuming supplements. Although a new study reveals that a vegan diet could affect intelligence, still more research is to be done.