DASH Diet Lowers Risk for Depression in Older Adults

A preliminary study to be presented at the American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting found older adults who followed the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet were less likely to develop depression, reports Healio . The researchers learned that after an average of 6.53 years, people in the second and third tertiles of the DASH diet had lower depression rates compared to people in first tertile. Of the other diets studied, the researchers observed that the Western diet was positively linked to depression over time. "Nonpharmacologic strategies to reduce depression, such as diet, may be effective, however, few studies have investigated the relation," says Rush University Professor Laurel Cherian. The researchers believe a diet intervention trial may be required to determine the best nutritional components for prevention of late onset depression and optimization of brain health.