Research
Macro partitioning
Higher intake of animal-derived proteins is negatively associated with self-reported depressive symptoms in older adults.
For older adults, higher intake of animal-derived proteins was linked to fewer depressive symptoms. This may be due to maintaining muscle strength or using protein-rich foods as comfort.
ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
it was also documented that those who were more engaged in active physical activity reported a greater animal-derived protein intake, which, in turn, was negatively associated with depressive symptoms.
Why this rating
Cross-sectional observational study.
Source
Is the Sardinian Blue Zone the New Shangri-La for mental health? Evidence on depressive symptoms and its correlates in late adult life span
Marilena Ruiu et al. · Aging Clinical and Experimental Research · 2022
DOI 10.1007/s40520-021-02068-7
cross_sectional · n=318Cited 15×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- Among older adults (65+), higher intake of carbohydrate-rich foods is negatively associated with self-reported depressive symptoms, contradicting the hypothesis that carbohydrates have no association with depression.Moderate
- Living in the Sardinian Blue Zone (SBZ) socio-cultural context, combined with higher perceived physical health and time spent gardening, predicts lower depressive symptoms in older adults.Moderate
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