Association between dietary flavonoid intakes and depression: A cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Psychiatry
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Depression represents a significant global public health challenge with increasing morbidity and mortality.
• Limited data exist on the relationship between dietary flavonoid consumption and depression risk.
• Understanding dietary factors like flavonoids is crucial for public health strategies targeting depression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between dietary flavonoid intake and the risk of depression in a US adult population.
• To analyze data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–2010 and 2017–2018.
• To explore the potential role of flavonoids in depression prevention and management.

Main Methods:

• Utilized 24-hour dietary recall data to quantify flavonoid intake.
• Assessed depression status using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).
• Employed restricted cubic spline models, logistic regression, and sensitivity analyses to evaluate the association, adjusting for covariates.

Main Results:

• Higher total flavonoid intake was associated with demographic and lifestyle factors including older age, non-Hispanic White ethnicity, higher education, marriage, higher income, physical activity, and current smoking.
• Multivariable regression analyses indicated a significant association between flavonoid intake levels and depression risk.
• A J-shaped negative association was observed between dietary flavonoid intake and depression, suggesting a protective effect at higher intake levels.

Conclusions:

• This cross-sectional study provides evidence for an association between higher dietary flavonoid intake and a lower risk of depression in US adults.
• Flavonoids may hold potential importance in the management and treatment of depression.
• Further research is necessary to elucidate the therapeutic mechanisms and potential of flavonoids in depression management.