Link between diet and mental health ‘extremely significant’
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A study of 45,000 people found a diet rich in fruit and vegetables is linked to significantly reduced psychological distress.
Study authors Dr Kerri Gillespie and Professor Selena Bartlett. (Image: Translational Research Institute)
Australians who eat less than one serve of vegetables per day have 1.6 times the odds of experiencing psychological distress compared to those who eat five or more serves per day, according to an analysis of 45,000 people.
The study, conducted by researchers at the Translational Research Institute (TRI), also found a correlation between fruit consumption and reduced prevalence of psychological distress, including depression, anxiety and stress.
Women were found to continue benefiting from vegetables in their diet with up to five or more serves per day, while for men, the benefit peaks at three or four serves per day.
Study co-author and professor of neuroscience at Queensland University of Technology, Selena Bartlett, labelled the findings ‘unexpected’.
‘The findings are extremely significant because it’s an Australian study with a very large sample of more than 45,000 people – it’s very exciting,’ Professor Bartlett said.
‘Correlation is never causation, and we have to be careful about that, but rarely do we think deeply about how diet affects our psychological health, and I think that’s the beauty of the study.’
The research was followed by a second, smaller-scale study which found a pattern between consumption of sugary soft drinks and the risk of depression.
It found having seven or more cups of soft drink a week increases the odds of depression by almost five times.
It also reveals a relationship between a high fibre diet and slightly lower anxiety.
However, researchers cautioned that the study is based on a sample of only 129 people, but ‘showed patterns that could be looked for in a larger sample’.
Professor Bartlett said she now hopes the two studies will help to improve the health and wellbeing of Australians.
‘Having the curiosity to ask these questions, that’s how these papers happened,’ she said.
‘We are not in any way saying eating more vegetables is a cure for mental health, but this research supports the existing health messaging recommending diets high in vegetables and low in sugar.’
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