Blackmores Institute

“High intake of dietary fibre has been associated with decreased severity of depression, likely resulting from gut microbiota-associated changes in gene transcription and increased production of the neurotransmitters gamma-aminobutyric acid and serotonin,” the authors explained.Although a widely recognised component of a healthy diet, dietary fibre intake is typically inadequate in many countries, with modern diets trending away from fibre-rich foods towards highly processed fast foods.“The aims of this review are to summarise existing literature about the impact of dietary fibre intake on depression and inflammation in humans, and to discuss the potential of inflammation as a mediating factor,” the authors said.With dietary fibre unable to be digested by humans, it is actually a fermentation process by trillions of bacteria that create the by-products, the most prominent of which are short-chain fatty acids, that are said to be a major mechanism of metabolic interactions between microbiota and the person.According to the authors, inflammation may also contribute to the relationship between dietary fibre and depression, suggesting that the primary mechanism by which high dietary fibre intake may reduce inflammation is through a gut microbiota– mediated lowering of intestinal membrane permeability and pH, resulting in reduced production of inflammatory cytokines.“This reduction in cytokines can improve depression by increasing the production of the neurotransmitters, serotonin and dopamine, and by altering the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function.The authors concede that the effect of dietary fibre on inflammation and depression is complex, with lifestyle factors, sex, overweight and obesity and overall dietary quality potentially confounding results of studies.“Nevertheless, further research into the link between dietary fibre intake, inflammation, and depression is essential. In particular, studies in populations without diagnosed inflammatory illnesses, such as adolescent populations, are needed, as are investigations to clarify whether dietary fibre intake has beneficial effects independent of other components of a healthy diet,” the authors conclude.Source:Nutrition Reviews. 2020. DOI: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuz072 ">10.1093/nutrit/nuz072</a>

Tasmanian researchers, publishing a special article in the journal, Nutrition Reviews, have claimed that dietary fibre is an essential component of healthy diet and can reduce both inflammation and the severity of depressive symptoms.

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