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Dietary patterns and depression: a comprehensive review of associations, moderating factors, and underlying mechanisms
Exploring the intricate connections between diet and mental health, recent findings underscore the potential of nutrition in influencing depression. Depression, which is prevalent and complex, often arises from a combination of genetic predispositions, neurobiological dysfunctions, and environmental stressors that complicate effective treatment strategies.
This narrative review synthesizes evidence from approximately 200 studies published between January 2000 and March 2026, focusing on observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining dietary patterns and depressive outcomes across various age groups. Healthy diets, such as the Mediterranean Diet (MD), Nordic Diet (ND), Japanese Diet (JD), Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), and the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND), are linked to lower depressive symptoms, primarily due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Conversely, diets characterized by high levels of processed foods, saturated fats, and refined sugars are associated with exacerbating depressive symptoms. These unhealthy diets are thought to worsen depression through mechanisms such as promoting systemic inflammation and disrupting metabolic functions. The review also discusses biological pathways through which dietary choices may exert their influence, including changes in gut microbiota, heightened oxidative stress, and increased neuroinflammation.
Furthermore, the efficacy of dietary interventions appears to be affected by individual factors, including age, sex, genetic predisposition, and the severity of the depressive disorder. In conclusion, while healthy dietary patterns correlate with a reduction in depressive symptoms, the Western diet (WD) is associated with an increased risk of depression. These findings emphasize the importance of personalized nutrition strategies in managing mental health. [NPID: Depression, diet, Mediterranean Diet, MIND, Western Diet, Japanese Diet, DASH, Nordic, biological pathways]
Year: 2026
