Diet and depression: Is there a link?
| Dec 18, 2018, 11:35 IST
We bet that you are well aware of how a good and healthy diet can affect you physically. However, did you know that a healthy diet can also affect you mentally? The benefits of a well-balanced diet go a long way in terms of mental health by fighting against the development of depression. This, a study conducted by the University College London agrees with.
As part of the study, the researchers found that adhering to a healthy diet—particularly a Mediterranean one, which focuses on foods like fruits, vegetables, and fish, while limiting unhealthy fats and processed meats—was linked to a lower risk of depression. The study concluded that those who followed the Mediterranean were 33 percent less likely to develop depression than those who adhered to it the least. "The diet is linked to a lower likelihood of depressive symptoms, which can include depressed mood, feelings of worthlessness, significant weight change, fatigue, and thoughts of death," said study author Camille Lassale, Ph.D., research associate at the University College London.
The researchers also concluded that other than the Mediterranean diet, anti-inflammatory diets can be similarly beneficial in decreasing depressive symptoms. “We know that depression is often accompanied by change in appetite and eating behaviours,” said Lassale. “But the available evidence now really suggests that the relationship also goes the other direction, as people consuming a healthier diet tend to develop less depression,” Lassale added.
As part of the study, the researchers found that adhering to a healthy diet—particularly a Mediterranean one, which focuses on foods like fruits, vegetables, and fish, while limiting unhealthy fats and processed meats—was linked to a lower risk of depression. The study concluded that those who followed the Mediterranean were 33 percent less likely to develop depression than those who adhered to it the least. "The diet is linked to a lower likelihood of depressive symptoms, which can include depressed mood, feelings of worthlessness, significant weight change, fatigue, and thoughts of death," said study author Camille Lassale, Ph.D., research associate at the University College London.
The researchers also concluded that other than the Mediterranean diet, anti-inflammatory diets can be similarly beneficial in decreasing depressive symptoms. “We know that depression is often accompanied by change in appetite and eating behaviours,” said Lassale. “But the available evidence now really suggests that the relationship also goes the other direction, as people consuming a healthier diet tend to develop less depression,” Lassale added.