Vegetarians at Greater Risk of Brain Shrinkage

Research from Oxford University has proven that people on vegetarian and vegan diets are six times more likely to suffer from brain shrinkage.

The shrinkage is caused by a shortage of Vitamin B12, a lack of which can also cause anaemia and inflammation of the nervous system. The best sources of it are in meat, particularly liver, milk and fish. Only a few vegetarian foods contain a good source of Vitamin B12, such as yeast extract.

Further research by the same team as gone on to prove people who drink 14 alcoholic drinks a week had 1.6% more brain shrinkage than teetotallers. Women in the seventies were at most risk. Beer does less damage than wine, but the hippocampus (the part of the brain that stores memories) of beer drinkers shrinks 10% more than those of wine drinkers. Also, being overweight can also cause brain shrinkage, according to research by Swedish scientists.

Story from The Times of India