FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CONSUMPTION AND RISK OF DEPRESSION: ACCUMULATIVE EVIDENCE FROM AN UPDATED SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS OF EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES

Background and Aim: Findings from observational studies investigating the association between fruit and vegetable consumption and risk of depression were inconsistent.Methods: A systematic literature search of relevant reports published in Medline/PubMed, ISI), SCOPUS and Google Scholar until Oct 2017 was conducted. Data from 27 publications onfruit, vegetables and/or total fruit and vegetable consumption in relation to depression were included in the systematic review. A total of eighteen studies that reported (RR), OR for the relationship were included in the meta-analysisResults: The pooled RR for depression in the highest v. the lowest category of fruit intake was 0•83 (95% CI 0•71, 0•98) in cohort studies and 0•76 (95% CI 0•63, 0•92) in cross-sectionalstudies. Consumption of vegetables was also associated with a 14% lower risk of depression in cohort studies and a 25% lower risk of depression in cross-sectional studies. Moreover, an inverse significant association was observed between intake of total fruit and vegetables and risk of depression incross-sectional studies. In a non-linear dose–response association, we failed to find any significant association between fruit or vegetable intake and risk of depression (fruit (cross-sectional studies): Pnon-linearty=0•12; vegetables (cross-sectional studies): Pnon-linearty<0•001; (cohort studies)Pnon-linearty=0•97).Conclusion: This finding supports the current recommendation of increasing fruit and vegetable intake to improve mental health

Keywords:

Fruit , Vegetables , Depression , Anxiety , Meta-analyses