New Study Reveals Calorie-Restricted Diets May Harm Mental Health
Losing weight is often seen as a straightforward endeavor, with the familiar advice to “cut your calories.” However, a new study published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health on June 3 suggests that such diets could pose a significant risk to mental well-being, particularly for men and those who are overweight.
Researchers analyzed health data from over 28,500 adults participating in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2007 to 2018. They found that nearly 8% of participants exhibited signs of depression, with those on low-calorie diets showing notably higher depressive symptoms. Notably, biological men and overweight individuals were found to be more susceptible to these negative mood effects.
Dr. Venkat Bhat, the study’s lead researcher from the University of Toronto, remarked, “Calorie-restricted diets were associated with higher depressive symptom scores.” This stands in stark contrast to previous studies suggesting that such diets might enhance mood. The difference appears to stem from the unsupervised, often nutritionally inadequate nature of real-life dieting practices as opposed to controlled environments where diets are monitored for balance.
Dr. Sumantra Ray, executive director of the NNEdPro Global Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health in the UK, highlighted the importance of nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12 in maintaining emotional balance. He expressed caution about the study’s findings, calling for further research to verify the observed trends.
For individuals seeking weight loss, experts recommend prioritizing mental health alongside nutritional balance, urging consultation with healthcare professionals before embarking on restrictive diets. The study ultimately serves as a reminder to focus not just on the amount of food consumed, but on the type of nutrition to support overall well-being.
————————————————————————
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
————————————————————————
