Dietary riboflavin intake in relation to psychological disorders in Iranian adults: an observational study

Findings of earlier investigations on association between dietary riboflavin intake and psychological disorders are contradictory. Therefore, the relation between dietary riboflavin intake and depression, anxiety, and psychological distress was assessed in Iranian adults. In this cross-sectional study, dietary intakes of 3362 middle-aged adults were collected using a validated dish-based food frequency questionnaire. Daily intake of riboflavin for each participant was calculated by summing up the amount of riboflavin contents of all foods and dishes. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), as validated questionnaires among Iranians, have been applied to assess depression, anxiety, and psychological distress. After considering potential confounders, adults in the top energy-adjusted quartile of riboflavin intake, compared to the bottom quartile, had decreased odds of depression (OR = 0.66; 95%CI 0.49, 0.88), anxiety (OR = 0.64; 95%CI 0.44, 0.94) and high psychological distress (OR = 0.65; 95%CI 0.48, 0.89). Stratified analysis by sex revealed that men in the forth quartile of riboflavin intake, compared with those in the first quartile, had respectively 51 and 55% lower odds of depression (OR = 0.49; 95%CI 0.29, 0.83) and anxiety (OR = 0.45; 95%CI 0.21, 0.95). In women, riboflavin intake was significantly associated with lower odds of psychological distress (OR = 0.67; 95%CI 0.46, 0.98). An inverse relation was observed between dietary riboflavin intake and chance of psychological disorders in Iranian adults. High intake of riboflavin decreased the chance of depression and anxiety in men and high psychological distress in women. More prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.