The relationship between diet and mental health is one of the most exciting frontiers in nutritional science. What you eat profoundly affects brain function, mood, and mental health outcomes.

Nutritional psychiatry: An emerging field examining how diet affects brain structure, neurochemistry, and mental health outcomes.

Key findings:

• Mediterranean diet is associated with 30–35% lower risk of depression
• Ultra-processed food consumption is associated with higher rates of depression and anxiety
• Omega-3 fatty acids show antidepressant effects in multiple trials
• Gut microbiome dysbiosis is linked to anxiety and depression
• Nutrient deficiencies (B12, D, folate, iron, zinc) impair mood and cognition

Mechanisms:

• Diet affects serotonin, dopamine, BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor)
• Inflammation from poor diet crosses the blood-brain barrier
• Gut microbiome produces neuroactive compounds

Reference:

Wikipedia: Nutritional psychiatry

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutritional_psychiatry