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Dietary patterns and mental health after myocardial infarction
In this 2017 study, Rius-Ottenheim et al. examined the relationship between dietary patterns and mental health among elderly patients (age range 60-80 years) who have previously suffered a myocardial infarction. The data from the Alpha Omega cohort (2171 participants) was used, including information on depressive symptoms, dispositional optimism, and diet. The average age of the subjects was 72.2 years old and 79.5% were men. One of the diet scores (the Dutch Healthy Nutrient and Food Score) was associated with fewer depressive symptoms and increased dispositional optimism, while the other diet score (the Dutch Undesirable Nutrient and Food Score) was not linked with any of these mental health measures. The most notable interactions were between the consumption of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, and low fat-dairy with lower prevalence of depressive symptoms and higher optimism. A healthy dietary pattern appears to be related to lower risk of depression and a more optimistic personality, although the direction of causality of this association needs to be clarified. It is possible that the more optimistic individuals make healthier food choices. [NPID: mood, happiness, well-being, depression, optimism]
Year: 2017
