👉Are you aware of the connection between nutrition and depression?
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Some people still believe that depression is only a result of biochemical imbalances and has roots in human emotions. However, there is evidence that diet may impact your mental health.
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Recent studies published in BMC Psychiatry in November 2019 proved that depression in middle-aged and older adults is also associated with socioeconomic, physical, and nutritional factors and relationships. Unfortunately, it appeared that the odds of developing depression were highest among immigrant women.
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Are you curious about what information this research has provided?
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Not surprisingly, the consumption of fruits and vegetables was protective for depression. Various nutrients found in plants have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
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However, we found some interesting and surprising results in the study:
👉chocolate intake was associated with depression (probably because depressed people crave chocolate to soothe themselves and sometimes it's low-quality chocolate like cheap, milk chocolate)
👉for men, high fiber intakes were associated with depression (probably because high fiber foods contain phytates which bind with trace minerals (like iron, zinc), therefore your body absorbs less of those minerals and you may suffer from the deficiency
👉higher fat intakes tended to be protective for depression in men
👉the high content of naturally occurring sugars in 100% fruit juice may cause negative health effects similar to those of other sugar-beverages.
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However, foods with very little nutritional value (highly processed, fried and sugary foods) can increase your risk of developing depression by as much as 60%.
Based on findings from that study we can say that dietary interventions could improve the mental health of older adults.
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Doi: 10.1186/s12888-019-2309-y
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