New Study Links Major Depressive Disorder to Specific Changes in Eating Preferences
People with MDD demonstrated a preference for carbohydrate-rich foods and reduced reward from fat- and protein-rich foods, according to new research.
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New research published in Psychological Medicine reveals that individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) show a marked preference for carbohydrate-rich foods over high-fat and high-protein options. The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Bonn and the German Center for Mental Health, involved 117 participants, including 54 patients with MDD and 63 healthy controls.1
Key findings indicate that patients with MDD reported significantly lower wanting ratings for high-fat and high-protein foods compared to carbohydrate-rich foods (P = .003), although liking ratings did not differ significantly (P = .23). Importantly, the inclusion of macronutrient composition data improved the predictive models for food ratings (P < .001).1
"Many people with depression suffer from a general loss of appetite. Others have more appetite during a depressive episode and even develop food cravings - especially for sweets. These changes can then lead to a change in body weight," corresponding author Prof. Nils Kroemer, who works at the University Hospital of Tübingen in the Department of Translational Psychiatry at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, said in a press release. "Despite these reports, little is known about the eating preferences of patients with depression, even though this information could perhaps promote new therapeutic approaches."2
The study examined correlations between food preferences and symptoms of depression, finding that preferences for carbohydrate-rich foods were associated with greater depression severity, anhedonia, and trait anxiety. Notably, MDD patients displayed reduced correlations between their preferences for carbohydrates compared to fat (t(113) = -3.78, P < .001) and protein (t(113) = -3.70, P < .001), suggesting impairments in metabolic signaling.1
Researchers utilized food cue reactivity tasks, where participants rated their liking and wanting for 60 images of food and 20 non-food items. This methodology provided insights into altered food reward systems in those with MDD, linking specific macronutrient compositions to changes in appetite and food preferences.1
The authors advocate for further research to explore dietary interventions targeting macronutrient intake as a potential therapeutic approach for managing depressive symptoms. These findings contribute to a growing body of evidence surrounding the complex relationship between diet, metabolism, and mental health.1
"To conclude, our results suggest that depression-related alterations in food reward ratings are more specific to the macronutrient composition of the food than previously anticipated, hinting at disturbances in gut–brain signaling," researchers wrote. "These findings raise the intriguing question of whether interventions targeting the gut could help normalize aberrant reward signals for foods rich in fat or protein."1
References:
1. Thurn L, Schulz C, Borgmann D, et al. Altered food liking in depression is driven by macronutrient composition. Psychol Med. Published online February 5, 2025. doi:10.1017/S0033291724003581
2. Carbohydrate cravings in depression. News release. University of Bonn. February 5, 2025. Accessed February 6, 2025. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/news/carbohydrate-cravings-in-depression
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