Does herbivory induce happiness?

Since humans are naturally omnivorous, there is a theory that vegetarianism has been an evolutionary phenomenon for our species. The more advanced humans took to a vegetarianism leaving their less-developed brethren to continue with their undiscriminating diet of animal protein and whatever else came to hand. Today, the prime incentive to be or become vegetarian is health, as plants are deemed better nourishment than meat, and even dairy products have now had their certificate of goodness restored. However, the contention in a recent British university study that vegetables and fruits actually make its devourers happier, is a new dimension that would have intrigued the 19th century French gastronome Anthelme Brillat-Savarin who famously wrote, “Tell me what you eat and I will tell you what you are.”

As India has the world’s largest number of vegetarians, anecdotal evidence available here should be keenly examined for corroboration that herbivory boosts happiness – faster than it improves health, that too. Of course, since the whole process of becoming happier apparently takes at least two years of exclusive vegetarian intake, one-off meatless binges will not be instant mood boosters. Perhaps a poll on Acche Din perceptions could be disaggregated along dietary lines to substantiate this finding.