Diet and Depression: What You Eat Can Help Improve Mood, New Study Finds
Food is a big factor to our health and overall well-being, but many people are unaware that it can also have an effect on depression. A healthy diet that consists of many fruits and vegetables with less highly processed foods, can help reduce the symptoms related to depression.
There was a study done that showed a group of young adults only following a Mediterranean-style diet for 3 weeks which, after it was over, presented that each of the individual’s depression levels dropped significantly. They also had another group who did not follow the diet and their depression scores remained in the “moderate severity” range.
As a 2017 study shows, a lower risk of depression was found in a rich diet of:
- Fruits
- Whole grains
- Vegetables
- Fish
- Olive oil
- Low-fat dairy
A higher risk of depression was found in a rich diet consisting of:
- Red meat
- Refined grains
- Sweets
- High-fat dairy products
Diet is very important for your well-being, but you also need to make sure everything else is in line – mind, body and soul. Call us at 905-420-4325 to schedule your appointment and before you know it, you’ll be on your way to optimal health!
References
Aubrey, A., Chatterjee, R. “Changing Your Diet Can Help Tamp Down Depression, Boost Mood.” NPR, 9 October 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2019/10/09/768665411/changing-your-diet-can-help-tamp-down-depression-boost-mood