Research published in the March/April issue of the American Journal of Health Promotion
finds that a low-fat, plant-based dietary intervention in the corporate
setting improves productivity and alleviates symptoms of anxiety and
depression.
The 18-week study took place in 10 corporate sites of a
major U.S. insurance company and included 292 employees, all with a BMI
of at least 25 kg/m2 and/or a previous diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
Participants were assigned to either a control or a dietary
intervention group, which featured weekly instruction in how to follow a
low-fat, high-fiber vegan diet.
Participants in the vegan group experienced significantly less work
and nonwork related impairment because of health, with significantly
reduced feelings of depression, anxiety, and fatigue. The vegan
intervention group also reported significant gains in emotional
well-being and in daily functioning because of physical health and
general health, compared to the control group.
Previous research shows a plant-based diet can improve overall mood even outside the workplace simply by adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet.
Agarwal U, Mishra S, Xu J, Levin S, Gonzales J, Barnard ND. A
multicenter randomized controlled trial of a nutrition intervention
program in a multiethnic adult population in the corporate setting
reduces anxiety and improves quality of life: The GEICO Study. Am J Health Promot. 2015; 4:245-254.
White BA, Horwath CC, Conner TS. Many apples a day keep the
blues away – daily experiences of negative and positive affect and food
consumption in young adults. Br J Health Psychol. Published ahead of print January 24, 2013.