Forget apples—researcher outlines how an orange a day may reduce depression risk by 20%
Forget apples—researcher outlines how an orange a day may reduce depression risk by 20%
]Eating an orange a day may lower a person's depression risk by 20%, according to a study published in Microbiome. That might be because citrus stimulates the growth of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (F. prausnitzii), a type of bacteria found in the human gut, to influence production of the neurotrans...
Summary
A Harvard-led study published in Microbiome found that eating one orange a day may reduce depression risk by 20%.
The research links citrus consumption to increased levels of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, a gut bacterium associated with higher serotonin and dopamine production, which can boost mood.
The findings were confirmed in both women and men. While not a replacement for antidepressants, citrus may play a role in mental health strategies.
Researchers hope to conduct clinical trials to further explore the connection between diet and mental health.