Healthy Diet Could Cut Depression Risk

Intake of healthy diet could reduce the risk of depression, say researchers. The study of 2,000 men was conducted at the University of Eastern Finland.

Anu Ruusunen, MSc, said that the study reinforces the hypothesis that a healthy diet has potential not only in the warding off of depression, but also in its prevention.

Depressed individuals often have a poor quality of diet and decreased intake of nutrients.

A healthy diet characterized by vegetables, fruits, berries, whole-grains, poultry, fish and low-fat cheese was linked with a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms and a lower risk of depression during the follow-up period.

Increased intake of folate was also associated with a decreased risk of depression. Vegetables, fruits, berries, whole-grains, meat and liver are the most important dietary sources of folate.

In addition, increased coffee consumption was non-linearly associated with a decreased risk of depression.

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In addition, participation in a three-year lifestyle intervention study improved depression scores with no specific group effect. Furthermore, a reduction in the body weight was associated with a greater reduction in depressive symptoms.

The study was based on the population-based Kuopio Ischaemic Heart.

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The original articles were published in Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, European Journal of Nutrition, Public.

Source-ANI