Beyond the Headlines: Does Plant-Based Milk Really Cause Depression?

A recent study sparked headlines suggesting that plant-based milk consumption leads to depression, while promoting dairy milk as beneficial for mental health. However, the study's methodology and conclusions were not as straightforward as reported. The study did not clearly define the "other types of milk" category, which included plant-based options like soy milk, and did not measure the quantity consumed or use a controlled trial design, making it difficult to draw firm conclusions.

While some media reports linked specific plant-based milks, such as soy, to depression, the study did not investigate the impact of individual types of non-dairy milk on mental health. Experts caution against taking the study results at face value, highlighting the need for more research into the effects of different plant-based milks on mental health. They also point out the influence of the dairy lobby in shaping media coverage around plant-based foods, especially during campaigns promoting increased meat and milk consumption.