Higher IQ links to being vegetarian

Vegetarians are more intelligent, according to a new study.

A study of thousands of men and women revealed that those who stick to a vegetarian diet have IQs that are around five points higher than those who regularly eat meat.

Writing in the British Medical Journal, the researchers say it isn't clear why veggies are brainier - but admit the fruit and veg-rich vegetarian diet could somehow boost brain power.

The researchers, from the University of Southampton, tracked the fortunes of more than 8,000 volunteers for 20 years.

They found that those who were vegetarians by the age of 30 had recorded five points more on average at the age of 10.

Further analysis of the results showed those who were brainiest as children were more likely to have become vegetarian as adults.

The typical adult veggie had a childhood IQ of around 105 - around five points higher than those who continued to eat meat as they grew up.

The vegetarians were also more likely to have gained degrees and hold down high-powered jobs.

However, these differences were not reflected in their annual income, which was similar to that of non-vegetarians.

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.

一项有几千名男性和女性参加的研究表明，坚持吃素食的人比经常吃肉的人智商高五分左右。

这项研究结果在《英国医学期刊》上发表。研究人员称，素食者智商更高的具体原因还不清楚，但素食中丰富的水果和蔬菜可以增强脑力。

南安普顿大学的研究人员对8000多名志愿者进行了长达20年的跟踪调查。

结果发现，30岁之前一直以素食为主的调查对象在10岁时的智商平均高出五分。

研究人员通过进一步分析发现，智商较高的儿童成人后成为素食者的可能性较大。

成年素食者在儿童时期的智商大约为105，比非素食者儿童时期的智商高五分左右。

此外，素食者获得学位和担任高层职位的几率较大。

但素食者和非素食者在收入方面没有什么差别。

此外，严格素食者和吃鱼和鸡肉的素食者的智商水平没什么差别。

但不食用奶制品的完全素食者的智商水平则要低得多，他们10岁时的平均智商只有95分。

Vocabulary:

veggie : vegetarian（素食者）

vegan : a vegetarian whose diet consists of plant products only（完全素食者）