Association Between Plant Food Consumption and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents: A Systematic Review

Background: Diet is a crucial factor in both physical and mental health. Several studies in adult populations report that a healthy diet is negatively associated with depression; however, data among adolescents are scarce. Aim: The investigation of the correlation between the consumption of plant foods and depressive symptoms among adolescents. Materials and Methods: A systematic review of articles published over the last decade was conducted across five databases: PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Results: Fourteen studies were included in the analysis. Twelve studies reported a negative correlation between symptoms of depression in adolescents and consumption of certain plant foods. Two studies did not report significant correlations, while one study reported a weak positive correlation. Conclusions: Studies report that the consumption of plant foods and specific nutrients included in them is negatively associated with symptoms of depression in adolescents. Further research is needed to explore the relationship and the possible biological mechanisms between plant food consumption and depressive symptoms.