News Fitness and Nutrition News Fiber Intake May Reduce Depression Risk in Women By Elizabeth Millard linkedin Elizabeth Millard is a freelance journalist specializing in health, wellness, fitness, and nutrition.? Learn about our editorial process Elizabeth Millard Fact checked by Fact checked by Rich Scherr on January 20, 2021 twitter linkedin Rich Scherr is a seasoned journalist who has covered technology, finance, sports, and lifestyle. Learn about our editorial process Rich Scherr January 19, 2021 Print Thomas Barwick/Stone/Getty Key Takeaways A high-fiber diet may have a major impact on depression symptom reduction for premenopausal women, a study suggests.Researchers believe this effect may happen because of the way the gut and brain interact, particularly with important neurotransmitters related to wellbeing.Fiber could also help with heart health, which also plays a role in reducing depressive symptoms. A high-fiber diet may have a considerable impact on reducing symptoms of depression in women, according to a recent study in the journal Menopause.?? Researchers looked at three different years in a major, ongoing study in South Korea and selected about 5,800 women who had provided information on their dietary fiber intake and other health markers, including depression symptoms. They found that, among premenopausal women, dietary fiber intake was higher in the non-depression group than in those who reported depression. However, among postmenopausal women, there was no significant difference. Although this suggests there’s a correlation, not causation, this is not the first study to connect lower depression incidence and dietary fiber intake among premenopausal women. Research in Frontiers in Neuroscience?? that looked at over 3,000 women aged 42-52 came to the same conclusion: the higher the fiber intake, the less likely women were to report depressive symptoms. Microbiome Role The link between fiber intake and mental health is not a surprising one, according to the recent study’s lead author, Jung Ha Kim, MD, PhD, associate professor at Chung-ang University College of Medicine in South Korea. Previous studies have found that fiber can improve the diversity of the gut microbiota, she says, and this could have a major effect on what’s called the “gut-brain axis.” “Consider the fact that about 90% of your body’s serotonin is made in the gut,” adds dietitian Mary Purdy, RDN, author of The Microbiome Diet Reset. “Serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter, is important for your overall feeling of wellbeing and emotional health. So, if your serotonin production is affected by poor diet choices, it makes sense that your emotional health would be affected.” Ian Sadler, PhD We often see people with compromised immune function and chronic health problems facing mental health challenges. Addressing physical health will have an impact on mental wellbeing — Ian Sadler, PhD In terms of why this effect isn’t seen as much with postmenopausal women, that is an area for further investigation, researchers noted. It could be because the issue is more complicated after menopause, due to hormonal changes, particularly with estrogen. For example, a study in Frontiers in Microbiology?? noted that increased weight around the midsection—a common part of menopause—could be a confounding factor in the gut-brain axis. Ripple Effect Another advantage to eating more fiber is potentially lower cardiovascular risks. This is important for postmenopausal women because this type of risk increases after menopause, according to the American Heart Association. Fiber helps reduce the body’s absorption of “bad” cholesterol and prompts better regulation of blood sugar—both of which can have a major impact on heart function. Better heart health is another factor for lowering depression prevalence, according to a study in JAMA Psychiatry,?? which found a strong association between mental distress and cardiovascular disease. That connection goes both ways, says Ian Sadler, PhD, psychologist at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. "Mental and emotional issues can affect physiological reactions, and vice versa," he says. "For example, we often see people with compromised immune function and chronic health problems facing mental health challenges. Addressing physical health will have an impact on mental wellbeing." What to Eat Much like its beneficial effect on the gut, fiber’s role for brain and heart health can be significant. Purdy recommends focusing on whole-food options first, rather than relying on supplements immediately, since dietary sources are also packed with vitamins and minerals, and even some amount of protein and healthy fat. For example, consider these choices: AvocadoApplesBerriesGreen leafy vegetablesOatsCruciferous vegetablesArtichokesBeansQuinoaNutsSweet potatoes Even dark chocolate has some fiber, at 3.1 grams in a 1-ounce piece. Just adding one or two extra servings of fiber-rich foods per day can be a good first step, Purdy suggests. What This Means For You If you find yourself struggling with emotional and mental health challenges and experiencing signs of depression—which can manifest as physical symptoms like fatigue, chronic pain, headaches, and stomach pain—talk with your primary care physician or other healthcare provider for appropriate referrals.You may be able to do telehealth sessions with a therapist or counselor, even as a new patient. If you're having any thoughts of self-harm or suicide, help is available 24/7 at the National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get one simple hack every day to make your life healthier. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Kim Y; Hong M; Kim S, Shin W, Kim J,?Inverse association between dietary fiber intake and depression in premenopausal women. Menopause. December 21, 2020. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000001711 Li, Di, Yongqing Tong, and Yan Li. Dietary Fiber Is Inversely Associated With Depressive Symptoms in Premenopausal Women. Frontiers in Neuroscience. May 6, 2020. doi:10.3389/fnins.2020.00373 Vieira AT, Castelo PM, Ribeiro DA, Ferreira CM. Influence of Oral and Gut Microbiota in the Health of Menopausal Women.?Front Microbiol. 2017;8:1884. Published 2017 Sep 28. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2017.01884 Rajan S, McKee M, Rangarajan S, et al. Association of Symptoms of Depression With Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality in Low-, Middle-, and High-Income Countries.?JAMA Psychiatry.?Published online June 10, 2020. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.1351