Healthy Eating Decreases Risk of Depression
A healthy diet may reduce the risk of severe depression, according to a prospective follow-up study of more than 2,000 men conducted at the University of Eastern Finland. Depressed individuals often have a poor quality of diet and decreased intake of nutrients.
“The study reinforces the hypothesis that a healthy diet has potential not only in the warding off of depression, but also in its prevention,” says Ms Anu Ruusunen which presented this in her doctoral thesis in nutritional epidemiology.
A healthy diet characterized by vegetables, fruits, berries, whole-grains, poultry, fish and low-fat cheese was associated with a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms and a lower risk of depression during the follow-up period. Folate was also associated with a decreased risk of depression foods such as vegetables, fruits, berries, whole-grains, meat and liver are the most important dietary sources of folate.
Compared to an unhealthy diet characterized by consuming high amounts of sausages, processed meats, sugar-containing desserts and snacks, sugary drinks, manufactured foods, french rolls and baked or processed potatoes was associated with an increased prevalence of elevated depressive symptoms.
Depression is one of the leading health challenges in the world and its effects on public health and quality of life are vast. If you are dealing with depression, make your first choice today by living a healthy and nutritious lifestyle.
SSG
Source: Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, European Journal of Nutrition, Public Health Nutritionand Diabetic Medicine.