If the winter blues are bringing you down, you might want to consider changing your diet. A new study finds that healthier eating habits can relieve symptoms of depression, whether dietary changes focus on weight loss or improved nutrition.
While existing research has been unable to definitively establish if a dietary improvement could benefit mental health, a thorough analysis of data by researchers from the University of Manchester provides convincing evidence that that’s actually the case.
After compiling data from 16 randomized controlled trials involving nearly 49,000 participants, researchers determined that the benefits of dietary changes positively impact mood in all individuals, not just those formally diagnosed with depressive disorders.
What’s especially remarkable about the study’s results is that any dietary intervention has an equally positive influence on mental health, whether the goal of the diet is weight loss, improved nutrition or a reduction of fat consumption.
The findings also support a combination of dietary changes and exercise to provide even more relief from depressive symptoms than dietary interventions alone.
