Researchers in Iran, Australia, and Canada recently published a study in Clinical Nutrition, showing a connection between an inflammation diet and mental health.
The researchers analyzed the diets of of nearly 3,400 adults, as well as their depression, anxiety, and psychological distress levels. Participants were split into three groups for their diets (based on how inflammatory their diets were), then again into three groups for mental health (based on their mental health levels).
What are pro-inflammatory diets?
While not specifically part of the Dietary Inflammatory Index, the following foods can cause inflammation, according the the Arthritis Foundation:
- Sugar
- Saturated fats
- Trans fats
- Omega 6 fatty acids
- Refined carbohydrates (such as white flour, white rice, and potatoes)
- MSG
- Gluten
- Casein
What did the researchers find?
What they found was that the participants in the group with the lowest dietary inflammatory index had a lower risk of being in the group with the greatest severity of mental health symptoms.
This is one more study in a growing body of research showing a connection between what we eat and our mental health. Here at Truehope, we’ve been promoting nutrition as mental health treatment for over 25 years.