Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: High-quality diets are increasingly recognized as a promising strategy for alleviating mental health problems. This study aimed to evaluate the association between adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet (ELD) and depression and anxiety using a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase was conducted. Two independent reviewers screened titles, abstracts, and full texts and extracted data, with any discrepancies resolved by consensus. RESULTS: Ultimately, eight unique studies (10 comparisons) met the predefined inclusion criteria. Adjusted effect estimates (odds ratios (ORs) or hazard ratios (HRs)) and corresponding 95% confidence (95%CI) intervals were extracted and pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. Between-study heterogeneity was quantified with the I(2) statistic. Compared with the lowest ELD adherence, the highest adherence was associated with a lower risk of depression (OR = 0.78, 95% CI 0.73-0.85; I(2) = 85.0%); a similar inverse association was observed for anxiety (OR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.79-0.86; I(2) = 0%) and the co-occurrence of depression and anxiety (HR = 0.76, 95% CI 0.68-0.85; I(2) = 0%). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that, compared with low adherence, high adherence to the ELD is associated with beneficial effects on mental health and may inform dietary recommendations for the early prevention and intervention of depression, anxiety, and their co-occurrence.