A study conducted by Dr Felice Jacka in Australia has shown that what we eat can have a profound effect on our mental health in the long term, reducing the risk of depression and anxiety.
Dr Jacka interviewed more than 1,000 women regarding their diets and mental health. This is the first study to be done that has looked at the whole diets of the subjects rather than just specific nutrients such as Magnesium or Folate.
She found that those who had diets high in processed foods were more likely to suffer anxiety and depression disorders than those who had whole food diets high in vegetables, fruit, fish and other lean protein.
Dr Jacka also conducted another study that looked at the relation between diet and mental health in adolescents. Her findings suggested that it may be possible to help prevent teenage depression by getting young people to adopt a nutritious, high-quality diet.
