Earlier this month, Irish and American researchers published a study in Clinical Nutrition, showing a connection between mental health and a pro inflammation diet.
The researchers assessed the diet and mental health of over 2,000 adults. The looked for inflammatory diets and cross checked that against general well-being and symptoms of depression and anxiety.
What are pro-inflammatory diets?
Researchers used the Dietary Inflammatory Index to calculate an inflammatory score of participants’ diets. This score rates diets on a continuum of anti-inflammatory to pro-inflammatory.
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?
Well, they discovered that diets scored as being pro-inflammatory were connected to an increased risk of depression and anxiety symptoms and a lower likelihood of general well-being.
This is one more study in a growing body of research showing a connection between what we eat and our mental health.