Eating your greens cuts depression risk
A DIET rich in vegetables, fruit and wholegrains may lower the risk of depression, say doctors.
Adults who ate more of these foods were 11 per cent less likely to develop the condition than those who consumed red meat and dairy products.
American scientists believe that simply switching your diet could be an extremely effective way of preventing depression.
Their research looked at 964 people whose average age was 81 for six and a half years.
The volunteers had mental health assessments every three years and also completed detailed food questionnaires which asked how often they ate certain types of foods.
The adults who were least likely to develop depression followed a diet which is often prescribed by doctors to lower blood pressure. This is known as the DASH diet, and recommends fat-free dairy products as well as fruit, vegetables and wholegrains.
The researchers, from the Rush University Medical Centre in Chicago, found that adults whose diet was more Western – high in saturated fats and red meats and low in fruits and vegetables – were the most likely to suffer depression. The findings were presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 70th Annual Meeting in Los Angeles.
Some nutritionists point out that depression rates are much lower in Mediterranean countries, which may be explained by their diet. They believe that certain antioxidants and vitamins found in olive oil, fruit and vegetables help protect against negative thoughts.