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Nutrient intake is associated with incident mental disorders: a population-based prospective cohort study
Tingting Mao1, Yifan Gou1, Lina Qin1
1Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemic Diseases of National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 76 Yan Ta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, People's Republic of China.
European Journal of Nutrition
|February 28, 2026
Summary
Dietary nutrient intake is linked to mental health. Higher intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids, protein, fiber, and carbohydrates may reduce the risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Psychiatry
- Epidemiology
- Mental Health Research
Background:
- The relationship between nutrient consumption and mental health disorders remains under-explored.
- Investigating dietary patterns' impact on mental well-being is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the associations between specific nutrient intakes and the risk of developing depression, anxiety, and suicide.
- To identify potential dietary biomarkers for mental health conditions.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 169,776 UK Biobank participants' dietary data (Oxford WebQ) and mental disorder diagnoses (ICD-10) over a median of 10.4 years.
- Nutrient intake levels were categorized into tertiles and analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models.
- Subgroup analyses were conducted based on sex, body mass index, and Townsend Deprivation Index.
Main Results:
- Significant associations were found between intakes of polyunsaturated fatty acids, fat, protein, fiber, and carbohydrates and mental disorders.
- Inverse associations were observed for n-3 fatty acids with depression, vegetable protein with anxiety, and fat with suicide.
- These associations were predominantly significant in women, with higher n-3 fatty acid intake linked to lower depression risk in this group.
Conclusions:
- Dietary nutrient intake is significantly associated with the risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide.
- Findings suggest nutrient intake could serve as a predictive or preventive factor in mental health strategies.
- Further research into specific nutrients and their impact on mental health is warranted.
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