Association between fruit and vegetable intake and risk of depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.
Nazanin Zamanian, Kimia Torabinasab, Mohammadreza Moradi Baniasadi et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the relationship between fruit and vegetable intake and the risk of depression across 13 prospective cohort studies involving 385,449 participants. The analysis found that the highest versus lowest intake was associated with a 37% lower risk of depression (RR: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.50, 0.80), suggesting dietary modifications may help in mental health prevention.
Key findings
- Highest versus lowest fruit and vegetable intake was linked to a 37% lower risk of depression (RR: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.50, 0.80).
- Each 200 g/day increase in intake corresponded to a 16% risk reduction (RR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.74-0.94).
- Fruit intake reduced depression risk by 16%, while vegetable intake reduced it by 12%.
Why it matters
Understanding the impact of dietary factors on mental health is crucial for developing preventive strategies against depression, a leading cause of disability. This research highlights the potential role of increased fruit and vegetable consumption in reducing depression risk.
What to keep in mind
The observational nature of the included studies may lead to residual confounding affecting the results.