Frequent consumption of vegetables predicts lower risk of depression in older Taiwanese – results of a prospective population-based study

Risk of depression in older Taiwanese

This study focuses on consumption frequencies of the main food categories in an elderly Taiwanese population, and how it relates to the risk of developing new depression in the future (assessed after 4 years). Logistic regression analysis was performed, while also controlling for possible confounding factors. There were a total of 1,609 participants aged over 65. When controlling for demographic, socio-economic, lifestyle, and health-related variables, but not cognitive status, both fruits (OR=0.66, p=0.038) and vegetables (OR=0.38, p=0.021) were protective against new depression in 4 years time. The results changed slightly when controlling for cognitive status as well: only vegetables (OR=0.4, p=0.039) reduced incidence of depression. Greater intake of eggs almost had a significant impact in both regression models (p=0.087 and 0.069), while no significant evidence could be found linking meat/poultry, fish, seafood, dairy, legumes, grains, or tea with the reduction of future depression. These results suggest that increasing frequency of vegetable consumption may protect elderly populations from developing depressive symptoms. [NPID: Taiwan, depression, fruit, vegetables, FV intake, eggs, elderly populations]

Year: 2012

Reference: Tsai, A. C., Chang, T. L., & Chi, S. H. (2012). Frequent consumption of vegetables predicts lower risk of depression in older Taiwanese - results of a prospective population-based study. Public health nutrition, 15(6), 1087–1092. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980011002977

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