{"id":156076,"date":"2025-07-16T08:31:28","date_gmt":"2025-07-16T08:31:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/can-diets-worsen-mood-to-the-point-of-depression-what-happens-to-the-mind-when-calorie-intake-is-reduced\/"},"modified":"2025-07-16T08:31:28","modified_gmt":"2025-07-16T08:31:28","slug":"can-diets-worsen-mood-to-the-point-of-depression-what-happens-to-the-mind-when-calorie-intake-is-reduced","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/can-diets-worsen-mood-to-the-point-of-depression-what-happens-to-the-mind-when-calorie-intake-is-reduced\/","title":{"rendered":"Can diets worsen mood to the point of depression? What happens to the mind when calorie intake is reduced?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Silvia Turin (Corriere della Sera)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Actualizado <\/span>

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\u00a0Do Diets Worsen Mood?\u00a0 A recent study published in the science journal BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health<\/strong> analyzed data from over 28,000 adult participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. It found that individuals following a low-calorie diet<\/strong>, particularly men and those who are overweight, are more likely to experience more severe symptoms of \u00a0depression\u00a0.<\/p>\n

These findings contradict earlier research, which suggested that individuals consuming a diet rich in \u00a0ultra-processed foods\u00a0 (comprising refined carbohydrates, saturated fats, processed meats, and sweets) are more prone to reporting higher levels of depression. In contrast, those adhering to a more \u00a0Mediterranean diet\u00a0 typically exhibit a lower risk of depression.<\/p>\n

So, do diets worsen or improve anxiety and depression? The answer appears to depend on the type of diet; specifically, it relies on what and how much one eats (or doesn\u2019t eat) and the duration of the chosen dietary regimen.<\/p>\n

Depression from Fasting<\/h2>\n

“The initial studies on caloric restriction conducted in the 1950s by Ancel Keys, termed the ‘Minnesota Starvation Experiment,’ showed that participants on a moderately low-calorie diet (around 1,600 calories a day for six months) developed not only physical symptoms but also what can be described as ‘hunger neurosis,’ a form of \u00a0fasting depression\u00a0,” states \u00a0Stefano Erzegovesi\u00a0, a nutritionist and psychiatrist. Symptoms included low mood, obsessive thoughts about food, lack of concentration, fatigue, apathy, and diminished interest in sexuality.<\/p>\n

“However, one does not need to completely fast to experience ‘fasting depression.’ This can surface even when eating half of one’s caloric needs and typically happens when dieting extends beyond 2-3 months,” he adds.<\/p>\n

Two Phases<\/h2>\n

How does mood relate to caloric restriction, and what are the physiological mechanisms involved? “It is a phenomenon that unfolds in two phases,” the specialist explains.<\/p>\n

“During the initial phase of caloric restriction (usually the first few weeks), individuals often feel better; they feel \u00a0more energetic, more alert, more focused, and more active\u00a0. This initial phase can be linked to our ancestors, who, when facing famine, needed to have energy for hunting and foraging while eating less. Once caloric restriction extends to over two or three months, however, things change. What initially served as an activation of dopaminergic tone (common in short-term fasting periods that make one feel energetic) transitions into symptoms of \u00a0nutritional deficiency\u00a0 akin to those exhibited by individuals with anorexia: a sad-irritable mood, attention-deficit issues, coldness, and loss of interest in sex. One’s brain operates on a low budget, leading to obsessive thoughts and an inability to resolve problems\u2014a clear indication of an \u00a0anxiety-depressive syndrome\u00a0,” he elaborates.<\/p>\n

Food as Comfort<\/h2>\n

Furthermore, there is a segment of the population that uses \u00a0food as a comfort element\u00a0. For them, dieting equates to the inability to fill an emotional void, which can lead to symptoms categorized as ‘withdrawal.’ “Approximately 16% of the population lives in a state of addiction to ultra-processed foods, which can be defined as ‘food addiction.’ In the absence of these foods, individuals may feel sad, irritable, and preoccupied with food, experiencing cravings for specific items,” asserts \u00a0Stefano Erzegovesi\u00a0.<\/p>\n

Moving Away from “Diet Culture”<\/h2>\n

Individuals seeking to lose weight may already experience feelings of anxiety and depression, often linked to stigma and their body image. How can one prevent mood from deteriorating at the same time as trying to improve their psychological wellbeing through diet? “The advice is to step away from the ‘diet culture’ that proposes a strict regimen lasting three to six months, only to revert to old habits afterward,” Erzegovesi advises. Instead, it is essential to \u00a0adopt a lifestyle change\u00a0. Viewing caloric restriction as a temporary state (and typically unbalanced) increases susceptibility to \u00a0depressive risks\u00a0. In contrast, habits are something that one embraces and carries throughout life.<\/p>\n

“For those with ‘food addiction,’ it is crucial not to engage in self-judgment or confuse food addiction with a vice, as it can be a pathological condition. It must be managed by professionals who also treat eating disorders, necessitating a multidisciplinary team (medical, nutritional, psychological),” this expert notes.<\/p>\n

Foods that Enhance Mental Wellbeing<\/h2>\n

While prior studies have indicated that certain diets might worsen mood, it’s essential to remember that \u00a0healthy foods\u00a0 have been shown to improve mental wellbeing. <\/p>\n

\u201cThere is solid scientific evidence that a poorly balanced Mediterranean diet is entirely antidepressant, comparable to the antidepressant effect of exercise,\u201d<\/strong> concludes this expert.<\/p>\n

Understanding the complex interplay between diet and mental health is crucial in our fast-paced world. As more individuals seek to improve their mental wellbeing, it’s essential to recognize that lasting health transformations begin not just with diet changes but with comprehensive lifestyle adjustments.<\/p>\n


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General News – 2<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Silvia Turin (Corriere della Sera) Actualizado Martes, 15 julio 2025 – 12:48 \u00a0Do Diets Worsen Mood?\u00a0 A recent study published in the science journal BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health analyzed data from over 28,000 adult participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. It found that individuals following a low-calorie diet, particularly men and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36400],"tags":[36729,38966,26681],"class_list":["post-156076","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-health","tag-ciencia-y-salud-salud","tag-dietas","tag-salud"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/156076","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=156076"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/156076\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=156076"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=156076"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=156076"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}