It's no secret that health largely depends on the quality of your diet. This is how English researchers carried out a scientific study on the ideal diet for good mental health.
A link between ketogenic diet and mental health?
Researchers from the University of Northumbria in Newcastle upon Tyne investigated the link between the ketogenic diet and wellbeing. As a reminder, the ketogenic diet, commonly called Keto, is distinguished by its low carbohydrate content, as well as its considerable intake of proteins and lipids. The study in question measured the impact of the diet on mood, cognitive and emotional stress, depression, anxiety and feelings of loneliness. Two cohorts therefore took place in 2021 and 2022. Hundreds of participants, some of whom adopted the ketogenic diet, answered questionnaires on their mental health. The results were then compared to better understand the impact of diet on mood and well-being.
The ketogenic diet would make you happier
The two cohorts brought together 423 participants, including 220 who adopted a ketogenic diet for several months. According to the researchers' analysis, this diet would provide better mental health. Those who followed the no-carb diet had better moods, were less anxious and depressed, and felt less alone and isolated. For psychiatrist Jasmine Sawhne, the ketogenic diet “may increase gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels, promoting calm and relaxation similar to the effects of benzodiazepines”. According to her, this can explain the result of this study. That said, future studies using biological markers should improve our knowledge on the subject.
Sources : Doctissimo.fr / Futura-sciences.com
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