Diets can cause depression

A new study has confirmed that cutting calories is connected to a higher risk of depression, particularly in men.

Experts at the University of Toronto examined data from over 28,500 adults who were followed for more than a decade. They completed surveys on their typical daily food intake and any diets they were following, as well as clinical assessments of depression.
Participants on low-calorie diets scored more highly in the tests for depressive symptoms - including feeling tired, having trouble concentrating or "little interest or pleasure in doing things".

The researchers wrote in the journal BMJ Nutrition Prevention and Health: "Our study suggests that caloric-restricted diets are the only dietary pattern that is associated with significantly increased depressive symptom scores compared with those not on a diet."
The study authors explained that this is because restricting food leads to "nutritional deficiencies" in protein and vitamins, which worsen brain function and result in a low mood.

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