Harvard Study: Daily Citrus Intake Linked to Lower Depression Risk in Women

A recent Harvard University study, published in BMC, suggests a link between daily citrus consumption and a reduced risk of depression in women. Researchers followed over 32,427 middle-aged women from 2003 to 2017, tracking their dietary habits and mental health. The study found that women in the highest quintile of citrus consumption had a 22% lower risk of developing depression compared to those in the lowest quintile. Interestingly, this effect appeared specific to citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits, as no similar association was found with total fruit or vegetable consumption, or with other individual fruits like apples or bananas. The study also indicated that citrus intake was associated with a greater abundance of *F. prausnitzii*, a gut bacteria linked to a lower risk of depression. While further research is needed, the findings suggest that dietary interventions, specifically including citrus fruits, could play a role in preventing or mitigating depression symptoms.