Why burgers and biscuits can make you depressed - but eating fruit and veg can ward off the blues

Middle aged men whose diet is loaded with junk food - such as processed meat and sugary drinks - are at greater risk from depression, according to a new study.

However, researchers found eating plenty of fruit and vegetables wards off the blues.

A study of more than 2,000 men found a healthy diet reduced their risk of developing the mental illness which affects almost a fifth of adults.

And shedding the pounds by improving diet and exercising more was associated with fewer cases of the condition.

Nutritionist  said: 'The study reinforces the hypothesis a healthy diet has potential not only in the warding off of depression, but also in its prevention.'

Patients with depression often eat poorly and consume fewer nutrients, but it has been unclear whether diet is linked with the risk in healthy people.

The new study found those who ate most vegetables, fruits, berries, whole grains, poultry, fish and low fat cheese suffered less symptoms and a lower risk of the condition during 13 years of follow up.

Increased intake of folate found in vegetables, fruits, berries, whole grains, meat and liver also had a beneficial effect, along with greater coffee consumption.

And participation in a three year lifestyle intervention programme involving a separate group of 140 middle aged men and women improved depression scores, with slimmer bodies leading to fewer symptoms.

But a junk food diet characterised by eating a lot of sausages, processed meats, sugary drinks, desserts and snacks, manufactured foods and baked or processed potatoes was associated with an increase in cases.

Contrary to some earlier observations, vitamin B12 intake, tea drinking and total caffeine intake were not related to the risk of depression in this study.

Depression is one of the leading health challenges in the world and its effects on public health, economics and quality of life are enormous.

Not only treatment of depression, but also prevention of depression needs new approaches. Diet and other lifestyle factors may be one possibility.

ps- this is only for information, always consult you physician before having any particular food/ medication/exercise/other remedies.

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