Link Between Unhealthy Diet and Depression (Premium)

Eating foods that are high in sodium and low in potassium could increase symptoms of depression in adolescents.

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“Depression among adolescents in the United States has increased by 30 percent over the last decade, and we wanted to know why and how to decrease this number,” said lead researcher Sylvie Mrug, Ph.D.

“Very little research has been conducted on diet and depression. Our study shows the need to pay attention to what our children are eating.”

TA new study showed that the effects of high sodium and low potassium on symptoms of depression build up over time. The unique combination of high sodium and low potassium best predicted an increase in adolescent depression.

Researchers suggest health care providers can use urinary sodium and potassium as biomarkers of risk for subsequent development of depression in adolescents.

Fruits and Vegetables Depression

“Interventions are needed to ensure adolescents are receiving proper nutrition to decrease their risk of depression,” Mrug said. “Food such as fruits, vegetables and yogurt contain low of levels of sodium and high amounts of potassium and should be encouraged as part of a teen’s daily diet.”

Paul Sanders, M.D., professor in the UAB School of Medicine, recommends that teens avoid highly processed foods, including fast food.

“The age-old saying, ‘eat your fruits and vegetables’ comes to mind,” Sanders said. “Although changing diet in this way takes money and effort, it has many health benefits, including improved mental health, as shown in our study.”

The study, published in Physiological Reports, suggests that diet is a modifiable risk factor for adolescent depression.

Press release: August 26, 2019

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