Low-calorie diets may negatively impact mental health !
Low-Calorie Diets and Mental Health Low-calorie diets may negatively impact mental health , Low-calorie diets, while often pursued for weight loss, can indeed have negative impacts on mental health. Recent research and expert opinions highlight several ways in which this can occur : 1. Increased Risk of Depressive Symptoms: A large observational study published in BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health found a link between low-calorie diets and a slight increase in depressive symptoms, particularly among overweight individuals and men. Participants on calorie- or nutrient-restrictive diets scored higher on measures of emotional and physical distress compared to non-dieters. This contradicts some earlier studies that suggested low-calorie diets could improve depressive symptoms, but researchers argue those trials involved carefully designed, balanced diets, which may not reflect real-world dieting practices. 2. Nutritional Deficiencies: Unsupervised restrictive diets often lead to nutri...