Does IQ has any link with being vegetarian?

Question

Recently I came accross this article from BBC on linkage of higher IQ with vegetarianism "http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6180753.stm ".

What do you think?

Answer 1

Studies like this deal with generalizations. In general, vegetarians may have higher IQs because (stick with me here, I am only genaralizing) people who have higher educations and/or more money have usually been educated more about diet and nutrition. Just like generally speaking, smokers probably have lower IQs because smokers generally tend to be lower income and less educated. There are definitely stupid vegetarians, and smart smokers.

Answer 2

I have a real problem with the whole 'IQ' thing. Sowhat? It doesn't make someone a better person, or more in tune with other people just because they are good at doing IQ tests. Why do people care so much about it? For what it's worth, I'm a vegetarian, and I think that the only way we are different to meat eaters (assuming the reason for being vegetarian is ethical rather than linked with health,etc) is that we make a stronger connection between dead animals and the meat on the plate than non-vegetarians.

Answer 3

this is a very interesting question! i became a vegetarian when i was little, so does that mean i have a higher IQ because of the diet i have been eating for over 10 years? or was i born with a higher IQ and chose to be a vegetarian because of that? do i even have a higher IQ, because the study says "on average" us vegetarians have a higher IQ? i hope more research is done on this.

Answer 4

It says it in the first line, more intelligent people are more likely to go veggie, so yes. What it doesn't show is that vegetarianism increases IQ.

It says in the study (not quoted from the BBC site): "However, further analysis of the results showed those who were brainiest as children were more likely to have become vegetarian as adults, shunning both meat and fish."

But, it also says

"There was no difference in IQ between strict vegetarians and those who classed themselves as veggie but still ate fish or chicken.

However, vegans - vegetarians who also avoid dairy products - scored significantly lower, averaging an IQ score of 95 at the age of 10.2"

The fact has always been that intelligent people are more likely to become vegetarian, and similarly that the council housed, binge drinking, smoking, thick-as-two-short-planks segment of the population aren't likely to give two figs about the issue. It doesn't show that vegetarianism increases intelligence and other studies have shown that it doesn't at all. In fact I think you'll find it you look at the people of similar IQs at ten, they'd end up with similar IQs at 30, regardless of diet. There is no evidence showing that it increases IQ and I find saying that more intelligent people are more likely to go veg a pointless argument.

As it said before, veggies were only as intelligent as those who ate fish and chicken. Again, I don't think people with low IQs are likely to take that option either, but as I think you'll agree people who eat fish and chicken aren't vegetarian, so it's saying a veggie diet is no better than a good omnivorous diet.
Also it says vegans were less intelligent. This would kind of go against the run of the results so far, and everyone, including myself, who has been saying that the only reason the veggies showed up higher was because they had to be more intelligent to make the choice. So the options would be either that only less intelligent people become vegan, or that veganism is detrimental to IQ. Personally I think veganism is a poor choice not befitting a rational person, but you can't rule out the other option.

All in all, you have to actually read what the study says to see that it doesn't show that vegetarianism is beneficial to IQ at all.

Answer 5

Well I took the time to read it, thanks for sharing!
I think in general it says people make smarter choices and it is healthier to be a vegan. I have been one for 20 years, and it is because it was gross to me I could never eat it even as a little child( I lack the digestive enzyme for my body to break it down). I have no major health issues either. So you have to remember every one pushes "protein" when b- vitamins like folic acid and b-12 for energy, vitamin A in carrots,all lift you up mentally and physically and have some anti-aging qualities. Those you can not find in meat, only in what meat eaters call "rabbit food".
So basically in a nutshell....meat is being produced at faster growth rate being injected with growth hormones etc...who wants that stuff in thier body's? Children are developing SO much earlier now as well. If you feel good and have the energy, your self esteem is up, we simply produce more when we are in better mental health. Making you more alert etc....that is the point they are trying to make with the Vegan way.
Meat like Turkey has an agent called Tryptophan, an amino acid that slows you down and makes you tired. But it has B vitamin Niacin in it that helps you produce the hormones to sleep. Beef takes longer to digest and takes more energy to do it.
So anything in a small moderation can be beneficial....I think it is more to attack obesity lifestyle...and help maintain a balance is the key. And that was my opinion and I am a Vegan.
So the article would make perfect sense. Vegetables when prepared right have all you need to survive and even some benefits to help you thrive mentally. You just have to be open to being educated to how much and what product has what you need! It's not just about lettuce and tomatoes!
I know I went overboard with this answer but it had alot of answers as to why people chose and there is study's to help that lifestyle along. Beef is being treated poorly and is very toxic these days, years ago this may not have been such a huge issue.
Thanks again!

Answer 6

No. Einstein was not a vegetarian and he was a genius. Some of these are genetic, some are related to the personality, some are unknown yet, and some come from the environment and training. Naturally we have little impact on the genetic component. It is also very difficult to shape the personality. However, a conducive environment and years training can lift a seemingly average person to amazing levels of skill or expertise.

Answer 7

There was a study just published, I think it actually made the Yahoo headlines. In the sample used, people with higher IQs were more likely to be or become vegetarians.

Answer 8

Many people judge vegetarians without taking time to understand what it's about. Bill, for example, believes vegetarians don't include protein in their diet, which is absurd.

It is evident that no one other than Scotty actually read the information provided through your link. She understands that your question is not about vegetarians developing higher IQ's but about people with higher IQ's making the choice to become vegetarian, reducing their risk of coronary heart disease.

It's interesting and I'm glad your question opened my eyes to this. I definitely agree that those with higher IQ's are more aware of health issues and make choices accordingly. I chose to become vegetarian after reading many health journals that convinced me this was the best choice. A dietitian guided me through the process and I have a more complete diet than the average person.

Becoming vegetarian is an intelligent, compassionate, thoughtful decision. The lifestyle is obviously not limited to those who have high IQ's, but academic and intellectual pursuits can increase exposure to health issues.

Answer 9

people with higher IQ tend to eat Heather. Guess that is why Einstein choose to be vegetarian!

Answer 10

Apparently, adults with a high IQ are more likely to become vegetarian. My daughter and husband are both members of Mensa (top1%)
My daughter (aged 22) decided to become vegetarian 6 months ago and my husband (quite old) enjoys his meat !