Study finds eating citrus is associated with reducing the risk of depression

The gut has long been associated with overall health, emphasizing the importance of feeding it.

Eating citrus fruits, such as oranges, may reduce the risk of depression by about 20% – experts say this is due to its interaction with the stomach.

The study, published in the journal Microbiome, found that the positive effects of citrus are related to how fruits affect the gut microbiome, including bacteria that live in the stomach.

According to the press release, the researchers analyzed data from Nurse Health Study II (NHS2), which began in 1989 and tracked chronic illness in 100,000 women in the United States.

Participants provided information about their lifestyle, diet, medication use, and health. They also provide fecal samples for DNA analysis.

8 predators diet myths debunked by researchers

“We found that eating citrus regularly may lead to more than 20% of the future risk of depression,” Raaj Mehta, a medical coach at Harvard Medical School and a doctor at Massachusetts General Hospital, told Fox News Digital Digital.

“Eating citrus is associated with a lot of F. prausnitzii, a gut bacteria that enables chemicals to enhance serotonin and dopamine production, which helps you feel happier.”

Eating citrus fruits is associated with the production of bacterial production associated with “feel good” chemicals. (iStock)

Based on the abundance of this bacteria, researchers believe there may be a link between citrus fruits and improving mental health.

“When we look at people’s total fruit or vegetable consumption, or other individual fruits (such as apples or bananas), we don’t see any relationship between intake and the risk of depression,” Mehta noted.

“We know that complex carbohydrates are better than refined carbohydrates and sugars.”

The researchers said he was surprised by the discovery.

He shared: “If you asked me to name ‘brain food’ before you start learning, I wouldn’t say oranges. I might tell you that we’ll find signals for salmon or nuts.”

In the future, oranges and other citrus can be explored as part of a larger strategy to manage depression, but more research is needed first, the scientist said. (iStock)

Experts agree that citrus fruits are not the only foods that can improve gut health.

According to Tanya Freirich, a registered dietitian in Charlotte, North Carolina, foods with fiber such as vegetables, beans and whole grains are great for the gut.

Research shows that drinking this weight loss can help lose weight

“We know that complex carbohydrates are better for our gut health than refined carbohydrates and sugars, and that whole foods are more beneficial than processed foods,” she told Fox News Digital.

Experts say foods containing probiotics are also good for intestinal health. These can include yogurt, kombucha and other fermented foods.

According to a registered nutritionist nutritionist, foods with fiber such as vegetables, beans and whole grains are very suitable for the gut. (iStock)

Frerich said citrus can be incorporated into the diet in many ways.

She advises: “Eat oranges for a snack, add lemon or lime juice to marinate fish or animal protein for dinner, or add grapefruit cubes to salads.”

Click here to get the Fox News app

However, this does not mean that those who have already received mental health treatment should give up the grapefruit prescription.

“It’s hard to compare the effectiveness of citrus with traditional antidepressants [such as SSRIs],” Meta said.

“We are talking about preventing depression, and once a person has experienced depression, these drugs are often used to treat depression.”

“It’s hard to compare the effectiveness of citrus with traditional antidepressants [such as SSRIs]” said the researchers. (iStock)

The researchers acknowledge that the study does have some limitations.

“Our research was conducted only in women, but there was no reason nor was it applicable to men,” he told Fox News Digital. “We did not find that age, diet and lifestyle meaningfully influence our findings.”

Click here to sign up for our health newsletter

While the results do not prove that eating citrus can prevent depression, the researchers observed that about one serving of citrus per day (about a medium orange) can see the biggest benefits.

He shared with Fox News Digital: “Because eating fruits and vegetables is often good for you, I’m happy to enjoy my daily orange color.”

“It’s hard to compare the effectiveness of citrus to traditional antidepressants.”

According to Mehta, consumption of citrus can be explored in the future as part of a larger strategy for managing depression, but more research is needed before such conclusions are drawn.

For more health articles, please visit www.foxnews.com/health

“If comfort foods make you happy in the short term, why would healthy foods like citrus – ‘Mood Foods’ – make you happier in the long term?”