More Fruit and Fiber Linked to Lower Odds of Recurrent Depression

A study of 4,099 adults found that higher fruit and fiber intake was linked to lower odds of recurrent depressive symptoms over time.

Medicine

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A long-term analysis of 4,099 adults in the Whitehall II study found that people who reported eating more fruit and dietary fiber had lower odds of experiencing recurrent depressive symptoms later in life. An increase of about 228 grams of fruit was associated with 17% lower odds, while an increase of about 7.4 grams of fiber was associated with 15% lower odds. These were the only dietary factors among the 16 examined that showed consistent associations with recurrent depressive symptoms in the analysis. The researchers adjusted for factors including age, sex, socioeconomic status, health behaviors, and other health-related factors. The diet information came from food-frequency questionnaires collected in 2002 to 2004, with depressive symptoms assessed repeatedly through 2015 to 2016. The findings are observational, so they show an association rather than proving that eating more fruit or fiber prevents depression. It is also possible that mental health, lifestyle, access to food, or other factors influence both eating patterns and later mood. Still, the results add to growing interest in the relationship between diet, gut health, and mental wellbeing, while leaving the precise biological explanation unresolved.

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