Pipp
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Vegetarians are more intelligent, says study
15.12.06
Frequently dismissed as cranks, their fussy eating habits tend to make them unpopular with dinner party hosts and guests alike.
But now it seems they may have the last laugh, with research showingvegetarians are more intelligent than their meat-eating friends.
A study of thousands of men and women revealed that those who stick toa vegetarian diet have IQs that are around five points higher thanthose who regularly eat meat.
Writing in the British Medical Journal, the researchers say it isn'tclear why veggies are brainier - but admit the fruit and veg-richvegetarian diet could somehow boost brain power.
The researchers, from the University of Southampton, tracked the fortunes of more than 8,000 volunteers for 20 years.
At the age of ten, the boys and girls sat a series of tests designed to determine their IQ.
When they reached the age of 30, they were asked whether they werevegetarian and their answers compared to their childhood IQ score.
Around four and a half per cent of the adults were vegetarian - afigure that is broadly in line with that found in the generalpopulation.
However, further analysis of the results showed those who werebrainiest as children were more likely to have become vegetarian asadults, shunning both meat and fish.
The typical adult veggie had a childhood IQ of around 105 - around fivepoints higher than those who continued to eat meat as they grew up.
The vegetarians were also more likely to have gained degrees and hold down high-powered jobs.
There was no difference in IQ between strict vegetarians and those whoclassed themselves as veggie but still ate fish or chicken.
However, vegans - vegetarians who also avoid dairy products - scoredsignificantly lower, averaging an IQ score of 95 at the age of 10.
Researcher Dr Catharine Gale said there could be several explanationsfor the findings, including intelligent people being more likely toconsider both animal welfare issues and the possible health benefits ofa vegetarian diet.
Previous work has shown that vegetarians tend to have lower bloodpressure and lower cholesterol, cutting their risk of heart attacks.They are also less likely to be obese.
Alternatively, a diet which is rich in fruit, vegetables and wholegrains may somehow boost brain power.
Dr Gale said: 'Although our results suggest that children who are moreintelligent may be more likely to become vegetarian as adolescents oryoung adults, it does not rule out the possibility that such a dietmight have some beneficial effect on subsequent cognitive performance.
'Might the nature of the vegetarians' diet have enhanced theirapparently superior brain power? Was this the mechanism that helpedthem achieve the disproportionate nature of degrees?'
High-profile vegetarians include singers Paul McCartney and Morrissey and actress Jenny Seagrove.
Past exponents of a meat-free lifestyle include George Bernard Shaw and Benjamin Franklin.
Promoting the cause, Shaw said, 'A mind of the calibre of mine cannotdrive its nutriment from cows', while Franklin stated that a vegetariandiet resulted in 'greater clearness of head and quicker comprehension'.
Liz O'Neill, of the Vegetarian Society, said: 'We've always known thatvegetarianism is an intelligent, compassionate choice benefitinganimals, people and the environment. Now, we've got the scientificevidence to prove it.
'Maybe that explains why many meat-reducers are keen to call themselvesvegetarians when even they must know that vegetarians don't eatchicken, turkey or fish!'
Addyour view
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23378331-details/Vegetarians+are+more+intelligent%2C+says+study/article.do
Vegetarians are more intelligent, says study
15.12.06
Frequently dismissed as cranks, their fussy eating habits tend to make them unpopular with dinner party hosts and guests alike.
But now it seems they may have the last laugh, with research showingvegetarians are more intelligent than their meat-eating friends.
A study of thousands of men and women revealed that those who stick toa vegetarian diet have IQs that are around five points higher thanthose who regularly eat meat.
Writing in the British Medical Journal, the researchers say it isn'tclear why veggies are brainier - but admit the fruit and veg-richvegetarian diet could somehow boost brain power.
The researchers, from the University of Southampton, tracked the fortunes of more than 8,000 volunteers for 20 years.
At the age of ten, the boys and girls sat a series of tests designed to determine their IQ.
When they reached the age of 30, they were asked whether they werevegetarian and their answers compared to their childhood IQ score.
Around four and a half per cent of the adults were vegetarian - afigure that is broadly in line with that found in the generalpopulation.
However, further analysis of the results showed those who werebrainiest as children were more likely to have become vegetarian asadults, shunning both meat and fish.
The typical adult veggie had a childhood IQ of around 105 - around fivepoints higher than those who continued to eat meat as they grew up.
The vegetarians were also more likely to have gained degrees and hold down high-powered jobs.
There was no difference in IQ between strict vegetarians and those whoclassed themselves as veggie but still ate fish or chicken.
However, vegans - vegetarians who also avoid dairy products - scoredsignificantly lower, averaging an IQ score of 95 at the age of 10.
Researcher Dr Catharine Gale said there could be several explanationsfor the findings, including intelligent people being more likely toconsider both animal welfare issues and the possible health benefits ofa vegetarian diet.
Previous work has shown that vegetarians tend to have lower bloodpressure and lower cholesterol, cutting their risk of heart attacks.They are also less likely to be obese.
Alternatively, a diet which is rich in fruit, vegetables and wholegrains may somehow boost brain power.
Dr Gale said: 'Although our results suggest that children who are moreintelligent may be more likely to become vegetarian as adolescents oryoung adults, it does not rule out the possibility that such a dietmight have some beneficial effect on subsequent cognitive performance.
'Might the nature of the vegetarians' diet have enhanced theirapparently superior brain power? Was this the mechanism that helpedthem achieve the disproportionate nature of degrees?'
High-profile vegetarians include singers Paul McCartney and Morrissey and actress Jenny Seagrove.
Past exponents of a meat-free lifestyle include George Bernard Shaw and Benjamin Franklin.
Promoting the cause, Shaw said, 'A mind of the calibre of mine cannotdrive its nutriment from cows', while Franklin stated that a vegetariandiet resulted in 'greater clearness of head and quicker comprehension'.
Liz O'Neill, of the Vegetarian Society, said: 'We've always known thatvegetarianism is an intelligent, compassionate choice benefitinganimals, people and the environment. Now, we've got the scientificevidence to prove it.
'Maybe that explains why many meat-reducers are keen to call themselvesvegetarians when even they must know that vegetarians don't eatchicken, turkey or fish!'
Addyour view
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23378331-details/Vegetarians+are+more+intelligent%2C+says+study/article.do
