Plant-based eating pattern and psychological symptoms: a cross-sectional survey among patients with migraine

The present study evaluated the association between plant-based diet index (PDI) and psychological symptoms, including depressive symptoms, stress, and anxiety among Iranian women diagnosed with migraine headaches.

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 262 patients with migraine (aged 20-50 years; body mass index, 18.5-30 kg/m²). Three versions of the PDI were calculated: overall PDI, healthy PDI (hPDI), and unhealthy PDI (uPDI) based on dietary data collected via a 168-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Psychological symptoms, including depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stress, were assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) questionnaire.

After adjustment for potential confounders, patients in the highest tertile of the PDI showed a lower risk of depressive symptoms [odds ratio (OR) = 0.41, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.22, 0.77]. Furthermore, inverse associations were evident between the PDI score and the risk of stress (OR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.24, 0.85).

Higher adherence to a plant-based eating pattern is associated with a reduced risk of psychological symptoms. However, future longitudinal studies and clinical trials should replicate our observations and delineate the underlying mechanisms driving these associations.