Extra daily fruit linked to lower depression risk in teenagers

University of Sydney research involving more than 6,500 Australian adolescents found fruit intake was associated with fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety, while sugary drinks were linked to greater risk.

A larger daily intake of fruit may help reduce the likelihood of depression and anxiety in teenagers, according to research from the University of Sydney that followed 6,537 adolescents across Australia. The study, published in Child and Adolescent Mental Health, tracked pupils from 71 secondary schools in New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia, with participants averaging 12.5 years old at the outset.

Researchers found that each extra daily serving of fruit was associated with a 13% lower risk of symptoms of depression and a 7% lower risk of symptoms of anxiety. The findings are based on an observational study, so they show an association rather than proving that fruit directly prevents mental health problems. Still, the pattern adds to growing evidence that diet may play a role in adolescent wellbeing.

The same research also pointed to the opposite effect for sugar-sweetened drinks, including fizzy drinks, cordials and energy drinks. Higher consumption of those beverages was linked with a greater risk of depression and anxiety, with the relationship appearing stronger for boys, particularly in relation to anxiety. The analysis excluded young people who already had more pronounced symptoms at the start and took into account factors such as age, sex, physical activity and socio-economic background.

The authors said the results underline the need for healthier foods to be more accessible and affordable for families, while access to sugary drinks for young people should be reduced. Their message fits with a broader public health debate over how schools, households and governments can make healthier choices easier for teenagers at a stage when eating habits are still forming.