Poor quality diet makes our brains sad

A low-quality diet may lead to brain changes linked to depression and anxiety, according to a groundbreaking study of 30 participants. Brain scans revealed differences in neurotransmitters and grey matter volume between those with poor diets and those following a Mediterranean-style diet. The research found these changes are associated with rumination, a symptom of mental health disorders.

Conducted by universities in Reading, Roehampton, FrieslandCampina, and Kings College London, and published in Nutritional Neuroscience, the study showed that poor diets resulted in reduced gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and increased glutamate, alongside decreased grey matter in the frontal brain region. This region is crucial for mental health.

Unhealthy diets, high in sugar and saturated fats, disrupt neurotransmission and grey matter volume. Changes in the gut microbiome and cell membranes due to high-fat diets may affect GABA and glutamate production. These alterations in brain chemistry might drive unhealthy food choices, creating a cycle between diet, brain health, and mental well-being.