Association Between Anxiety and Suicidal Ideation, and Dietary Patterns.
Mir Jun1, Jihyun Woo1, Ju-Hye Chung1
1Department of Family Medicine, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea.
Nutrients
|May 27, 2026
Summary
Higher protein intake may reduce anxiety, especially in men. This study explored dietary patterns and mental health, finding a link between high-protein diets and lower anxiety levels.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
Background:
- Diet is a key modifiable risk factor for non-communicable diseases.
- Research on dietary patterns and mental health, particularly anxiety, is limited.
- Understanding diet-mental health links is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between macronutrient intake and anxiety.
- To examine the relationship between dietary patterns and suicidal ideation.
- To analyze specific macronutrient impacts on mental health outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the 2021-2023 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (n=9002).
- Categorized participants into normal, high-carbohydrate, high-fat, and high-protein diet groups.
- Analyzed associations between dietary patterns, anxiety, and suicidal ideation, adjusting for covariates.
Main Results:
- No significant association found between dietary patterns and suicidal ideation.
- A high-protein diet was associated with reduced odds of moderate to severe anxiety (OR 0.492).
- In men, a high-protein diet significantly lowered odds of moderate to severe anxiety (OR 0.230).
Conclusions:
- Higher protein intake correlates with lower levels of moderate to severe anxiety.
- The association between high-protein diets and reduced anxiety is particularly significant in men.
- Further research is warranted to establish a causal relationship between protein intake and anxiety reduction.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Stress and Mental Health
Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
02:16Self-Schemas
In general, a schema is a mental construct consisting of a cluster or collection of related concepts (Bartlett, 1932). There are many different types of schemata, and they all have one thing in common: schemata are a method of organizing information that allows the brain to work more efficiently. When a schema is activated, the brain makes immediate assumptions about the person or object being observed.
01:28Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of weight gain, an unrelenting pursuit of thinness, and a distorted body image. It often leads to dangerously low body weight relative to an individual's age and height. This disorder is marked by significant physical and psychological consequences, making it one of the most life-threatening psychiatric illnesses.
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
01:28Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is characterized by an intense fear of social situations where one might face humiliation, rejection, embarrassment, or negative evaluation. This disorder leads individuals to avoid activities like casual conversations, public speaking, or seemingly simple tasks such as eating, signing documents, or swimming, in public settings. Its impact extends beyond discomfort, often significantly interfering with daily functioning and quality of life.
01:18Anxiety: Overview
Anxiety is a common mental disorder featuring excessive worry, fear, and apprehension, significantly affecting daily life. People with anxiety disorders experience persistent and intense anxiety, interrupting their everyday functioning.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
01:30Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by a cyclical pattern of binge-and-purge eating pattern. It generally involves an episode of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, laxative use, or fasting, to prevent weight gain. Despite often maintaining a normal weight, individuals with bulimia are intensely preoccupied with their body image and harbor an overwhelming fear of gaining weight. This can contribute to the...