Dietary and Nutritional Influence on Mental Health Outcomes: A Review

Abstract

The present review aims to evaluate and synthesize previous research on the impact of food and dietary patterns on mental health. Over the past decade, dietary choices have been implicated in the onset, the progression, and the management of mental disorders. In this review, we analyze evidence on the association between nutritional components and mental health outcomes, such as depression, anxiety, and cognitive functioning from randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, and meta-analyses published over the last decade. The purpose of this review is to highlight the significant impact of diet on mental health and to emphasize the potential of diet interventions to contribute to an integrated approach to the treatment of mental illness. The current evidence suggests that improving diet quality should be a key component in the prevention and management of mental health disorders. Public health initiatives and clinical practices should incorporate dietary counseling to promote mental well-being among the general population.