Low-Calorie Diets Might Increase Risk Of Depression

A new study suggests that following a calorie-restricted diet may increase the risk of depression. Researchers analyzed data from over 28,500 participants in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2007 and 2018. The study found that individuals on low-calorie diets scored higher for symptoms of depression compared to those not dieting. Overweight individuals and men were particularly vulnerable to the negative mood effects of restrictive eating. The researchers speculated that calorie-restricted diets could deprive the brain of nutrients needed to maintain balanced mood, such as glucose and fatty acids. These findings contrast with earlier studies that found low-calorie diets eased depression, which the researchers attributed to the controlled nature of those trials compared to real-world dieting. (UPI)