Vegans Are Happier Than Meat Eaters, Study Finds

Jun 12

The survey also found that people with higher happiness ratings are more likely to adopt a 100% plant-based diet in the future.

Vegans have higher levels of happiness compared to meat-eaters, according to a new study by Tracking Happiness.

The study, Eat Green, Be Happy includes: Evidence Of The Connection Between Veganism And Happiness, surveyed 11,537 people from the United States. The respondents were grouped into four categories: 8,988 were meat-eaters, 422 were pescatarian, 948 were vegetarian, and 1,179 were vegan.

To collect the data, Tracking Happiness asked respondents various questions regarding their happiness levels, their thoughts on veganism, and how likely they were to adopt a vegan diet in the future.

Vegans report 7% higher happiness ratings than meat-eaters.

The average happiness rating was 6.9 on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the happiest. The data showed that vegans were 7% happier than meat-eaters who also scored the lowest happiness rating of 6.8:

Vegans: 7.27
Vegetarians: 7.31
Pescatarians: 6.99
Meat-eaters: 6.80
Total average: 6.90

Experts weren’t surprised at the results: “It’s no wonder vegans are happier – by sparing animals atrocious suffering, helping to save the planet, and improving their own health, vegans can enjoy peace of mind and a clean conscience,” says Mimi Bekhechi, PETA’s Vice President of International Programmes. “If you want to join the happy v-gang, you’re in luck: going vegan has never been easier or tastier.”

Shifting to a vegan diet.

Interestingly, the study also found that happier individuals consider themselves more likely to turn vegan in the future. Out of the 8,988 meat-eaters surveyed, those who reported higher happiness ratings were more likely to adopt a 100% plant-based diet.

“Perhaps, happier people are in a better state of mind before considering going 100% vegan. Someone that is already unhappy might be less tempted to give up the consumption of animal products,” notes the study.

Changing attitudes to veganism.

Furthermore, the survey discovered that negative attitudes about veganism have shifted, with just 14% of meat-eating respondents demonstrating a negative stigma towards vegans.

“The perception of vegans has definitely shifted to a more positive light in the last five years, in my experience,” says Carleigh Bodrug, founder of Plant You. “I personally believe this is because of education on the impact animal agriculture has on our precious earth, being one of the leading sources of greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. This, coupled with the introduction of more delicious plant-based products on the market, has made people more open to a discussion about reducing their animal product consumption.”

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