mmalabanan
If you’re fond of eating fish, there’s a big possibility that you are less likely to be depressed, according to new research.
A study found that males who consume a fish-rich diet saw their risk of depression reduce by 20% while females saw their risk lower by 16%.
According to researchers, the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish may be responsible for altering the brain membranes’ structure. Furthermore, the omega-3 fatty acids also modify the activity of serotonin and dopamine, which are chemical messengers believed to be involved in depression.
Professor Dongfeng Zhang at the Medical College of Qingdao University, Shandong, China said, “A meta-analysis published recently indicated that a healthy dietary pattern, characterized by a high intake of fruits, vegetables, fish and whole grains, was significantly associated with a reduced risk of depression.
“High-fish consumption may also be related to a healthier diet and better nutritional status, which could contribute to the lower risk of depression,” Zhang added.
Zhang believes further studies must be conducted to investigate which particular component of the fish is responsible for the protective effect and whether the link varies according to the type of fish.
The study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health was based on 16 articles published between 2001 and 2014 that involved 26 studies and a total of 150,278 participants. The research did not indicate how much fish should be consumed weekly and how it was prepared.
