Depression is a very common public health issue as it affects many people. The World Health Organization (WHO) says that it is the main cause of health problems that do not cause death. But a recent study has revealed that eating more fruits and vegetables can effectively reduce the risk of the development of depression. This study was conducted by researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW). Â
This study was recently published in the Journal of Affective Disorders. In this study, researchers involved 7,801 people. They focused on people aged 45 and above. They did not have any symptoms of depression. They asked them to eat either fruits or vegetables. They mainly wanted to see whether eating more fruits and vegetables reduces the risk of depression for these people. They tracked these people for 9 years and asked them how much fruit they ate during this time. They also measured their depression symptoms. Â
When researchers observed the collected data, they found that people who ate more fruits had a lower risk of depression as compared to those who ate vegetables. People who ate vegetables also had a lower risk. But it did not show strong and effective results like fruits. Fruits and vegetables contain some antioxidants, fibers and vitamins and they effectively reduce depression. They also reduce inflammation, stress levels and improve a person’s gut health. Researchers have also found that some fruits that contain citrus and leafy vegetables are very effective in reducing the risk of depression. Â
One of the researchers said that even though these results are helpful, there is a need for further research to understand more. They want to study different types of fruits and know about their effectiveness in reducing depression. Â
The result of this study clearly shows that eating more fruits can reduce the risk of the development of depression. So, healthcare professionals should suggest people eat more fruits and vegetables regularly. They should also make some effective strategies and diets for those people who think they can get depression. Â
Reference Link:Â
Annabel P. Matison et al, Associations between fruit and vegetable intakes and incident depression in middle-aged and older adults from 10 diverse international longitudinal cohorts, Journal of Affective Disorders (2024). Â
