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New York Post
6 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
It's official: Your diet is making you depressed, according to science
Skipping dessert really can leave you down in the dumps. No one who's been on a diet has ever said, 'I love calorie restriction,' but a new study has found a not-so-surprising link between low-cal eating and depression. And some people have it worse than others. 3 Researchers found that men and those whose BMI classified them as overweight were particularly susceptible to diet-linked depression. Studio Romantic – The dietary habits and depressive symptoms of 28,000 US adults were analyzed for the study, published in BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health. Of these adults, 29% had a healthy weight, 33% were deemed overweight, and 38% were considered obese. The dietary patterns were divided into four categories: calorie-restrictive, nutrient-restrictive (AKA low in fat), sugar, salt, or carbs, established dietary pattern, or not on a diet at all. The majority of participants, 87%, did not follow any specific diet, 8% followed a calorie-restrictive diet, 3% opted for nutrient restriction, and 2% followed an established dietary pattern. Using questionnaires from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, researchers found that 8% of participants reported depressive symptoms. Those on calorie or nutrient-restrictive diets exhibited higher scores of emotional and physical distress than their cohorts who were not on a specific diet, suggesting that unsupervised restrictive diets may negatively affect mental health. Researchers found that men and those whose BMI classified them as overweight were particularly susceptible to diet-linked depression. 3 Besides affecting your quality of life and relationships, depression can raise the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse. bravissimos – 'The findings suggest caution with overly restrictive or unbalanced diets, particularly for people already experiencing weight-related stress or challenges,' said lead study author Dr. Venkat Bhat, psychiatrist, clinician-researcher, and director of the Interventional Psychiatry Program at St. Michael's Hospital and University of Toronto. Researchers found that the quality of diet had a direct bearing on depression risk. Those whose diet was rife with ultra-processed foods (UPFs) were more likely to report higher levels of depression. Recent research revealed that 60% of Americans' daily caloric intake comes from ultra-processed foods. UPFs often contain high levels of sodium, refined sugars, cholesterol-spiking fats and other lab-based ingredients. A 2023 study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that people who consume nine or more servings of UPFs a day have a 50% higher risk of developing depression than those who eat four or fewer daily servings. 3 Previous studies have established that a Mediterranean diet rich in fruit, veggies, nuts, fish, and plants can slash depression risk by a third. Eightshot Images – In contrast, this latest study revealed that those who followed a Mediterranean diet exhibited lower rates of depression. Previous studies have established that a Mediterranean diet rich in fruit, veggies, nuts, fish, and plants can slash depression risk by a third. In a 2023 Gallup poll, 29% of US adults reported having been diagnosed with depression at some point in their lifetime, while 17.8% of Americans said they have depression or are being treated for it. Besides affecting your quality of life and relationships, depression can raise the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, anxiety disorders and substance abuse. Given the results of this study, Bhat suggests dieters abstain from strict caloric restriction and instead opt for,' balanced, sustainable dietary changes that meet nutritional needs.' Researchers note that their findings only reveal associations, not definitive data. Further, due to the survey format, there's no way to verify that participants truly adhere to caloric restriction. Still, Bhat and his team are hopeful that future studies will continue to examine the relationship between calorie restriction and mental health.
UPI
04-06-2025
- Health
- UPI
Low-calorie diets might increase risk of depression
People on low-calorie diets scored higher for symptoms of depression, compared with those not dieting, researchers reported. Photo by Adobe Stock/HealthDay News Counting calories isn't simply a bummer, it might actually increase your risk of depression, a new study says. People on low-calorie diets scored higher for symptoms of depression, compared with those not dieting, researchers reported Tuesday in BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health. Overweight people and men were particularly vulnerable to the mood changes that come with a low-calorie diet, results show. "Calorie-restricted diets were associated with higher depressive symptom scores, which contrasts with the findings of earlier controlled studies," concluded a team led by senior researcher Dr. Venkat Bhat, an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Toronto. "Additionally, biological men and overweight individuals appear more vulnerable to the negative effects of restrictive eating," the team added. Cutting calories might also rob the brain of nutrients needed to maintain a balanced mood, researchers speculated. For the study, researchers tracked the health of more than 28,500 participants in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2007 and 2018. These people all had completed a questionnaire assessing symptoms of depression, and also were asked if they were following any particular diet. In all, just under 8% of participants reported symptoms of depression. Researchers categorized everyone based on their dietary pattern, including diets that restricted calories, diets that cut specific nutrients like carbs or fat or diets established to help manage health problems like diabetes or heart disease. About 87% of people weren't on any diet at all, while 8% followed a low-calorie diet, 3% a nutrient-restrictive diet, and 2% a dietary pattern for health reasons, researchers said. Those on calorie-restrictive diets scored higher on depression symptoms than those following no diet, results show. Overweight people following either a low-calorie or nutrient-restrictive diet scored even higher still, researchers found. And any sort of diet at all affected men's moods, the study says. These findings directly contradict previous studies which found that low-calorie diets eased depression, researchers said. "This discrepancy may arise because prior studies were primarily randomized controlled trials where participants adhered to carefully designed diets ensuring balanced nutrient intake," the researchers added. In real life, calorie-restricted diets often result in nutritional deficiencies and stress that can worsen symptoms of depression, the team noted. For example, glucose and fatty acids are critical for brain health. "Diets low in carbohydrates (glucose) or fats (omega-3s) may theoretically worsen brain function and exacerbate cognitive-affective symptoms, especially in men with greater nutritional needs," the team wrote. People on such diets also might become depressed if they fail to lose weight or if they weight-cycle, dropping pounds only to put them back on again, researchers said. Dr. Sumantra Ray, chief scientist and executive director of the NNEdPro Global Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health in Britain, reviewed the findings. He said the new study "adds to the emerging evidence linking dietary patterns and mental health, raising important questions about whether restrictive diets which are low in nutrients considered beneficial for cognitive health, such as omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12, may precipitate depressive symptoms." However, Ray added that the observed effects on depression were relatively small. "Further well-designed studies that accurately capture dietary intake and minimize the impact of chance and confounding are needed to continue this important line of inquiry," he said in a news release. More information The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has more on the health effects of low-calorie diets. Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
CNN
03-06-2025
- Health
- CNN
Calorie-cutting diets could be tied to worsening depression, study suggests
Food & health Mental healthFacebookTweetLink Follow Going too far with a diet might have serious impacts on your mental health. Cutting your calories down too far could be linked with worse depression symptoms, new research suggests. A study published Tuesday in the journal BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health looked at data from more than 28,000 adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which surveyed participants on their diet quality and depressive symptoms. People who followed a calorie-restrictive diet, particularly men and people with a body mass index considered overweight, were more likely to have higher symptoms of depression, according to the data. Quality of diet also mattered. People who reported a diet with more ultraprocessed foods, refined carbs, saturated fats, processed meats and sweets were more likely to report higher levels of depression and those who ate more of a Mediterranean-style diet generally had lower risk of depression, the study showed. 'The findings suggest caution with overly restrictive or unbalanced diets, particularly for people already experiencing weight-related stress or challenges,' said lead study author Dr. Venkat Bhat, psychiatrist, clinician-researcher and director of the Interventional Psychiatry Program at St. Michael's Hospital and University of Toronto. Instead, Bhat suggests 'opting for balanced, sustainable dietary changes that meet nutritional needs and consider individual psychological impacts may help minimize potential negative effects on mood.' There are some limitations to consider when looking at the results. The design of the study can only show associations, not definitively say that calorie restriction causes an increase in depression symptoms, Bhat said. In addition, the study surveyed people on their dietary patterns, which leaves room for error, said Dr. Kary Woodruff, associate professor (lecturer) and director of the nutrition and integrated physiology department's coordinated master's program at the University of Utah. She was not involved in the research. 'I could think I am on a calorie-restricted diet when in fact I may be in a calorie surplus — there's no way to verify participant's calorie-restriction status,' Woodruff said. The study is large and controlled for other factors that could drive the associations found, but its findings contrast with those of previous studies around the topic of calorie restriction and depression, Bhat said. Other studies have found that calorie-restricted diets reduce depressive symptoms, said Dr. Johanna Keeler, postdoctoral researcher at King's College London. Keeler was not involved in the study. One difference is that previous research, including a 2023 paper that Keeler coauthored, studied restrictive diets supervised by medical professional. 'Therefore, these findings might reflect that unsupervised dieting, which can produce nutritional deficiencies, might not be good for depressive symptoms,' Keeler said. More research and randomized control trials may be needed to fully understand how dieting impacts mental health, Bhat said. There are several reasons why the calorie restriction seen in the most recent study might be associated with a negative mental health impact. Previous studies, including Keeler's, found that low-calorie diets that resulted in weight loss for people classified as overweight or obese was associated with reduced depression symptoms. That could be because of physiological changes, improved physical mobility or increased positive social feedback, Keeler said. 'Embarking on a calorie restricted diet without experiencing weight loss, or experiencing 'weight cycling' might not produce improvements in depression, and on top of that may be frustrating or disheartening to individuals, causing an increase in depression,' Keeler said in an email. When calories are too restricted or not enough nutrients are being provided by a diet, there could be an interruption in physical processes that could lead to fatigue, sleep problems and difficulty concentrating, Keeler added. Extreme dieting patterns also are linked to increased anxiety and a higher risk for an eating disorder, Woodruff said. 'The key is to examine what — and how much — is being restricted. Focusing on following a healthful eating pattern that supports mild to moderate caloric restriction may improve depressive symptoms and mood, whereas extreme behaviors can exacerbate mental, emotional, and physical health,' she said via email. How a person responds to a diet varies among individuals, and the results of the study highlight the need for personalized dietary recommendations and consideration of psychological factors in addition to physical health, Bhat said. With so much contrasting advice when it comes to nutrition and what's the best approach for your own nutrition, Keeler recommends input from a medical professional before starting any weight loss efforts. Even if you want to lose weight, focusing too much on heavy calorie restriction might not be the most sustainable option, said Natalie Mokari, a dietitian in Charlotte, North Carolina. Instead, she recommends small changes to move toward a more balanced lifestyle. Start by looking at your meals, Mokari said. Does your plate have a protein, carbohydrate, healthy fat, and some fiber and nutrients through fruits and vegetables? Try prioritizing adding in the nutrition you need first, then see whether there are elements you don't need anymore, she said. Perhaps if you eat from all of your food groups and slow your meals down, you will realize you don't need to grab a second helping or you won't feel the same urgency to grab a sweet treat after, Mokari said. 'Regardless of weight loss, improving dietary quality can significantly improve overall health and quality of life,' Woodruff said. 'Consider working with a registered dietitian to understand what a healthful dietary pattern can look like for you.' Get inspired by a weekly roundup on living well, made simple. Sign up for CNN's Life, But Better newsletter for information and tools designed to improve your well-being.
Daily Mirror
03-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Counting calories and yo-yo diets could increase risk of depression, say experts
Eating less of a bad diet is not going to boost your mental health unless you change what you eat, research suggests after a study showed men are vulnerable to negative impact of 'restrictive eating' Counting calories and yo-yo dieting could increase your risk of depression, new research suggests. Experts say eating healthy whole foods rather than processed foods might be more important than focusing only on cutting down on calories. The study of 28,500 Americans suggests men are particularly "vulnerable" to the negative effects of 'restrictive eating' due to a lack of essential nutrients. The findings, published in BMJ Nutrition Prevention and Health, contradict previous studies which found low-calorie diets improved depressive symptoms. However researchers said earlier controlled trials included tailored and balanced diet programmes that may not be the same as the calorie counting diets people realistically follow in everyday life which contain the same processed foods. Study author Dr Venkat Bhat, of the University of Toronto, Canada, said worsening depressive symptoms could be caused by a failure to lose weight or "weight cycling" - losing weight and then putting it back on. He said: 'Real-life calorie-restricted diets and obesity often result in nutritional deficiencies - particularly in protein, essential vitamins/minerals - and induce physiological stress, which can exacerbate depressive symptomatology." Canadian researchers analysed data on 28,525 people who took part in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and had completed a health questionnaire relating to depressive symptoms, which gave them a score based on severity. Some 8% of those studied had reported depressive symptoms, while 33% were overweight and 38% were obese. Most said they were not on a specific diet, while 2,206 were restricting calories. Some 859 were on a "nutrient-restrictive" diet, low in fat, sugar, salt, fibre or carbohydrate, and 631 were on diets tailored for the likes of diabetes. Questionnaire scores for depressive symptoms, such as a low mood, low energy and sleep disturbances, were higher among those restricting calories compared to those who reported not being on a diet at all. The research paper concluded: "Numerous studies have consistently focused on 'healthy' versus 'unhealthy' diets. They have shown that 'healthy' diets rich in minimally processed foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, lean proteins and fish have been linked to a lower risk of depression. "In contrast, an 'unhealthy' diet dominated by ultra-processed foods, refined carbohydrates, saturated fats, processed meats and sweets is associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms.' Researchers said restricting calories can lead to deficiencies in protein, vitamins and minerals which puts the body under stress. Professor Sumantra Ray, chief scientist and executive director of the NNEdPro Global Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, which co-owns the BMJ medical journals, said: "This study adds to the emerging evidence linking dietary patterns and mental health, raising important questions about whether restrictive diets which are low in nutrients considered beneficial for cognitive health, such as omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12, may precipitate depressive symptoms. Scientists explained that a "healthy" diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, lean proteins and fish, is generally associated with a lower risk of depression. An "unhealthy diet" - dominated by ultra-processed foods, refined carbs, saturated fats, processed meats and sweets - has been linked to a heightened risk. Prof David Curtis, honorary professor at University College London, wo was not involved in the research, said: "The reported effects are small and some are scarcely statistically significant, so may well be due to chance. Even if it is the case that people who are dieting have more depressive symptoms, I don't see why we should assume that it is the dieting which causes this. "To me it seems plausible that this observation could be accounted for by the fact that people who are more unhappy with themselves, and with their weight in particular, may be more likely to go on a diet in an attempt to change their situation."
