Diet Quality Impacts Mental Health Aspects of University Students

Introduction: Mental health problems, especially depression and anxiety, among university students are widespread, and begin pre-matriculation. Diet is among the factors contributing to mental health in all age groups. Aim: The present review aims to critically summarize the observational studies and clinical trials that have investigated the association between mental health and diet quality in university student populations. Methods: PubMed was comprehensively searched to identify studies that explore the role of aspects of diet quality on quality of life, depression, and anxiety in university students. Results: Healthy dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean and the DASH diet, diets with high intakes of antioxidants and antioxidant vitamins, folate, Zinc and Calcium are associated with less depressive symptoms. Higher alcohol and salt intake have also been associated with depression. Conclusion: Healthy dietary patterns, with adequate micronutrient and antioxidant intakes are associated with better mental health status. However, further randomised controlled clinical studies are needed in order to clarify the cause and the effect of the observed associations.