Following a healthy plant-based diet may be useful in the treatment of substance use disorders, according to a new study published by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine
Standard treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs) “rarely incorporates a dietary intervention”, states the study’s abstract. “The purpose of this research is to explore how nutrition might influence early recovery outcomes.”
For the study participants self-selected into the 10-week treatment (whole food, plant-based diet) or control group (standard treatment center diet). Both received weekly nutrition education lessons to complement the diet. At baseline, week 3, and week 10, participants completed assessments to track mental health markers. Mean values were calculated for Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015) and Plant-based Diet Indices (PDI).
“Semi-structured interviews were gathered and analyzed using grounded theory”, states the study. “The intervention group had significantly higher scores for HEI-2015 and PDI scores (all P’s < .001). For all psychosocial outcomes, there was a statistically significant effect of time (P’s < .001-.02), but not by condition. A significant condition by time interaction was seen with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem outcome (P = .043).”
Researchers found that “Resilience at 10-weeks was significantly higher in the high PDI group. Qualitative data showed that all participants found meaning and value in the experience.”
The study concludes by stating that “Early addiction treatment outcomes show modest but important effects of whole food plant-based nutrition and suggest value in further exploration of its use in SUD treatment.”
The full text of the study can be found by clicking here.
