Poor nutrition or in other words unhealthy diet plays a dual role, contributing to both the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and impacting mental health, including anxiety and depression cause, a team of researchers has said as they batted for nutrition interventions that can aid in both of these health issues.
Though as per the US Centers for Disease Control, people with diabetes are two-to-three times more likely to have depression than people without, the understanding of the multifaceted relationship between nutrition, mental health, and DM has been revealed by the George Mason University researchers.
Two literature reviews from assistant professor Raedeh Basiri from the University show that poor nutrition plays a dual role, contributing to both the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and impacting mental health, including anxiety and depression. Conversely, a diet with a large number of processed foods was found to have a negative effect, increasing the susceptibility to type 2 diabetes, depression, and anxiety.
“Our findings underscore the pivotal role of dietary choices in reducing the risks associated with both diabetes and mental health.
The implications of these findings extend beyond the scientific community, as they hold promise for informing public health policies, health care practices, and dietary recommendations that can positively impact the general population, said Basiri, the lead author of the papers.
“Exploring the Interrelationships between Diabetes, Nutrition, Anxiety, and Depression: Implications for Treatment and Prevention Strategies” was published in Nutrients in September 2023 with Mason Master of Science in Nutrition students Blessing Seidu and Mark Rudich as co-authors.
“Ultimately, the research seeks to empower individuals to make informed and health-promoting dietary choices that can serve as a proactive strategy for the prevention and management of diabetes, as well as anxiety and depression,” Basiri said.