The association between ‘Vegetarian for Life’ diet quality, social connection and depressive symptoms within Western and Indian regional groups

Dietary patterns and Depression risk

Dietary patterns rich in plant foods are generally linked to a reduced risk of depression due to their bioactive components that promote positive physical and neurological health. However, paradoxically, vegans and vegetarians often report higher levels of depressive symptoms, indicating potential mental health issues. This study investigates the interplay between diet quality, social connectedness, and depressive symptoms in a sample of 312 lifelong adult vegans (51%) and vegetarians (49%) from Western and Indian populations. Using hierarchical linear regression, the findings reveal that higher diet quality is significantly associated with lower depressive symptoms. Specifically, participants in the lowest diet quality quartile exhibited significantly higher depressive symptoms (M = 18.7, SD = 9.56) compared to those in the medium and highest diet quality quartiles. Notably, when social connectedness was factored into the analysis, diet quality ceased to be a significant predictor of depressive symptoms within the Indian population. These results highlight the necessity of incorporating socio-cultural contexts in understanding dietary adherence and its implications for mental health.

Year: 2026

Reference: Lee, M. F., Matharu, G. K., Baltrotsky, K., & Best, T. (2026). The association between ‘Vegetarian for Life’ diet quality, social connection and depressive symptoms within Western and Indian regional groups. Journal of Affective Disorders, 392, 120235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2024.11.087