Menu
eMediHealth Logo
Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
eMediHealth Logo
Subscribe
No Result
View All Result

Home > Nutrition > 9 Best Foods That Help Fight Depression

9 Best Foods That Help Fight Depression

April 7, 2022 - Updated on January 3, 2023
8 min read
By Kathryn Strickland, RD | Registered Dietitian

In this article:

  • Prevalence of Depression
  • 10 Foods to Fight Depression
  • Most-Asked Questions
  • Final Word

Depression is a mental health disorder that is characterized by persistent spells of low mood, sadness, and disinterest that negatively impacts your personal, professional, and social life. This poor quality of life can even reduce your lifespan by causing premature mortality. (1)

best foods that can help fight depression

Depression stems from a combination of factors that can be biological, social, or psychological in nature and can cause mental distress in different ways. (2)

Some of these factors such as your lifestyle choices are controllable, whereas others such as genetics are beyond your control. The controllable factors can be managed to improve overall mental health and reduce the risk of depression, and a lot of research is being conducted on this topic in recent times. (3)

There is no cure for depression, but it can be managed through medication and mental health counseling combined with the recommended lifestyle changes. Your diet can also play a role in fighting depression and improving your overall mental well-being.

Advertisements

Prevalence of Depression

According to the World Health Organization, depression is the top contributor to the disease burden of high-income nations. At the global level, more than 340 million people are diagnosed with this condition. (4)

10 Foods to Fight Depression

Here is a list of foods that have shown to positively impact brain health and mood and, therefore, may prove helpful in managing depression. 

1. Green tea

frequent green tea intake can benefit those with depression

Frequent green tea intake may benefit those with depression if consuming more than 3 cups a day. This may be possibly due to its high content of polyphenols, which is a micronutrient that can lower stress levels in the body, and/or due to theanine, an amino acid that can help protect the brain and make it function properly. (5)

Green tea may also help fight depression due to other factors such as being in a social environment, having a healthier lifestyle, or reducing stress while preparing and consuming the tea. The research is still unclear what aspect of drinking green tea fights depression.

2. Salmon

eating salmon can help with depressive symptoms

Salmon is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which can help with depression symptoms by increasing positive mood.

Correlation studies have seen a decrease in mental disorders when there is an increase in fish consumption. (6) This may be due to the high content of DHA in salmon or another factor. 

Advertisements

Research is still looking into the best way to help increase a positive mood with DHA or supplementation.

3. Dark chocolate

eating dark chocolate can help elevate your mood

Many people like eating dark chocolate, and the good news is it has been shown to potentially reduce stress levels, just not elevate the mood. (7) So, enjoy eating dark chocolate to reduce stress – just don’t expect it to fight depression.

4. Eggs

egg consumption can help in your fight against depression

Can an egg a day keep depression away? That is debatable according to research.

One study showed that eggs helped to fight depression possibly due to the B vitamin content of eggs, while another showed that eggs had no effect on depression possibly due to their cholesterol content. (8)

It is unlikely that one food item could aid against depression. However, it is possible that eggs along with other dietary choices such as consuming more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains may help relieve depression. (9)

5. Bananas

bananas can help people with depression feel better

Bananas are high in fiber and potassium, and research has shown that people who eat bananas feel better. (10) This correlates with another study that showed individuals perceived a decrease in depression symptoms after eating a banana. 

Advertisements

Whether or not bananas can alleviate depression symptoms, it seems clear that people feel better or even happier after eating bananas. (11)

6. Avocado

avocados can help fight against depressive symptoms

Avocados have the potential to fight against depression due to their magnesium content. (12)

7. Blueberries

blueberries can help elevate your mood

Blueberries are full of antioxidants and can elevate the mood. (13) It’s unclear if this small superfood can help fight depression, but an elevated mood is much better than a negative one.

8. Spinach

Spinach is a leafy green that should be eaten by the majority of the population. It is high in iron and calcium, (14) and it has the potential to boost your energy levels by preventing iron deficiency.

At this point, the research is unclear if spinach can fight depression, but again it can improve mood.

9. Asparagus

eat asparagus to help prevent depression and boost your mood

Asparagus is another vegetable that when eaten can improve and elevate your mood. (15) This effect is likely due to its high folate and tryptophan content. Tryptophan gets converted to serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is known to elevate mood. (16)

Advertisements

Again, there needs to be more research to determine if asparagus can fight against depression. However, given its high content of folate, tryptophan, and fiber, asparagus is a good vegetable to eat regularly.

Most-Asked Questions

Who are more prone to depression?

Studies have researched what types of students are more prone to depression. 

They have discovered that students who tend to feel that their financial status is average or worse than others feel disconnected due to a lack of parental guidance. Moreover, those who come from hard living conditions, if living in rural areas, are more prone to depression. (17)

Advertisements

What can be the symptoms of depression?

symptoms of depression

It is important to watch out for the symptoms of depression, which include but are not limited to feeling sad, feeling worthless, feeling guilty, and not being able to work or think productively. (18)

What nutrient deficiency can cause depression?

While research is still looking into this area, it has been discovered that those who report being depressed tend to have vitamin and mineral deficiencies in folate, B12, zinc, and selenium.

Deficiencies are also seen in omega-3 fatty acids, L-tyrosine, and neurotransmitters serotonin and GABA. (19)

What other lifestyle changes should be made to fight depression?

lifestyle changes that can help you deal with depression

Adopting a Mediterranean diet, which consists of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish, promotes anti-inflammatory effects in the body. This is important as a pro-inflammatory diet high in refined carbs, sugar, and saturated fat can lead to more depressive symptoms.

Exercise should also be included in the fight against depression. Research has shown only a modest effect of exercise on elevating a person’s depressive symptoms. However, exercise can also increase heart rate and increase blood flow throughout the body. (20)

Final Word

The foods you eat affect your brain health, so you have to be mindful of your dietary choices. Eating right can help reduce the risk and severity of depressive episodes, but it is only a small part of the treatment approach.

Depression is multifactorial and should be treated as such, which means that you should examine your eating habits, physical activity, stress levels, social life, professional life, and need for professional help including medication if needed. (21)

Be aware of the barriers to change as depression can make people less motivated to change lifestyle habits or seek professional help.

References
  1. (PDF) premature mortality among people with mental illness … https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317387155/.
  2. Cao Z, Yang H, Ye Y, et al. Polygenic Risk Score, healthy lifestyles, and risk of Incident Depression. Translational psychiatry. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8007584/. Published March 29, 2021.
  3. Chand SP. Depression. StatPearls [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430847/. Published July 26, 2021.
  4. Shumet S, Azale T, Angaw DA, et al. Help-seeking preferences to informal and formal source of care for depression: A community-based study in northwest Ethiopia. Patient preference and adherence. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8275152/. Published July 6, 2021.
  5. Williams JL; Everett JM; D’Cunha NM; Sergi D; Georgousopoulou EN; Keegan RJ; McKune AJ; Mellor DD; Anstice N; Naumovski N; The effects of green tea amino acid L-theanine consumption on the ability to manage stress and anxiety levels: A systematic review. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31758301/.
  6. Wani AL, Bhat SA, Ara A. Omega-3 fatty acids and the treatment of depression: A review of scientific evidence. Integrative medicine research. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5481805/. Published September 2015.
  7. Al Sunni A, Latif R. Effects of chocolate intake on perceived stress; a controlled clinical study. International journal of health sciences. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4350893/. Published October 2014.
  8. Réhault-Godbert S, Guyot N, Nys Y. The golden egg: Nutritional value, bioactivities, and emerging benefits for human health. Nutrients. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6470839/. Published March 22, 2019.
  9. Ljungberg T, Bondza E, Lethin C. Evidence of the importance of dietary habits regarding depressive symptoms and depression. International journal of environmental research and public health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7084175/. Published March 2, 2020.
  10. Nieman DC, Gillitt ND, Henson DA, et al. Bananas as an energy source during exercise: A metabolomics approach. PloS one. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3355124/. Published 2012.
  11. Głąbska D, Guzek D, Groele B, Gutkowska K. Fruit and vegetable intake and mental health in adults: A systematic review. Nutrients. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7019743/. Published January 1, 2020.
  12. Fulgoni VL, Dreher M, Davenport AJ. Avocado consumption is associated with better diet quality and nutrient intake, and lower metabolic syndrome risk in US adults: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2008. Nutrition journal. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3545982/. Published January 2, 2013.
  13. Tran PHL, Tran TTD. Blueberry supplementation in neuronal health and protective technologies for efficient delivery of Blueberry Anthocyanins. Biomolecules. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7828789/. Published January 14, 2021.
  14. Brouwer-Brolsma EM, Brandl B, Buso MEC, Skurk T, Manach C. Food intake biomarkers for green leafy vegetables, bulb vegetables, and stem vegetables: A Review. Genes & nutrition. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7144047/. Published April 9, 2020.
  15. Pegiou E, Mumm R, Acharya P, de Vos RCH, Hall RD. Green and White Asparagus (asparagus officinalis): A source of developmental, chemical and urinary intrigue. Metabolites. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7022954/. Published December 25, 2019.
  16. Jenkins TA, Nguyen JCD, Polglaze KE, Bertrand PP. Influence of tryptophan and serotonin on mood and cognition with a possible role of the gut-brain axis. Nutrients. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4728667/. Published January 20, 2016.
  17. Mojs EH, Warchoł-Biedermann K, Głowacka MD, Strzelecki W, Ziemska B, Samborski W. Are students prone to depression and suicidal thoughts? Archives of medical science : AMS. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4495140/. Published June 19, 2015.
  18. Park LT, Zarate CA. Depression in the primary care setting. The New England journal of medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6727965/. Published February 7, 2019.
  19. Rao TSS, Asha MR, Ramesh BN, Rao KSJ. Understanding nutrition, depression and mental illnesses. Indian journal of psychiatry. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2738337/. Published April 2008.
  20. Belvederi Murri M, Ekkekakis P, Magagnoli M, et al. Physical exercise in major depression: Reducing the mortality gap while improving clinical outcomes. Frontiers in psychiatry. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6335323/. Published January 10, 2019.
  21. Mofatteh M. Risk factors associated with stress, anxiety, and depression among university undergraduate students. AIMS public health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7870388/. Published December 25, 2020.
  • Was this article helpful?
  • YES, THANKS!NOT REALLY
Spread the Love❤️
Advertisements
Advertisements
Advertisements
Advertisements

Newsletter

Get our BEST updates delivered to your inbox:



This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Categories

  • Nutrition
  • Wellness
  • Oral Care
  • Eye Care
  • Heart Health
  • Skin & Beauty
  • Women’s Health
  • Ear, Nose & Throat
  • Respiratory Health

Links

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Cookie Policy
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
eMediHealth

This site provides content for informational purposes only. The information provided is not intended for use as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In case of a medical concern or emergency, please consult your healthcare provider.

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation.

Our Network: Little Extra

© 2019 eMediHealth. All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Nutrition
  • Skin & Beauty
  • Wellness
  • Yoga & Meditation
  • Women’s Health
  • Heart Health
  • Allergy & Immunology
  • Bones & Joints
  • Child Health
  • Digestive
  • Ear, Nose & Throat
  • Eye Care
  • Glands & Hormones
  • Health News
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Mental Health
  • Nervous System
  • Oral Care
  • Pain Management
  • Respiratory Health
  • Sleep Disorders
  • Urological Health

© 2019 eMediHealth. All rights reserved.