In January 2018 researchers from Japan published the results of their study to assess the association between dietary patterns and depressive symptoms during pregnancy. A total of 1,744 pregnant women were involved in the study. Information on dietary patterns was collected via a diet history questionnaire. The level of depression was assessed in all individuals. Three dietary patterns were identified: ‘healthy’, characterized by a high intake of green and yellow vegetables, other vegetables, mushrooms, pulses, seaweed, potatoes, fish, miso soup, and shellfish; ‘Japanese’, characterized by a high intake of rice and miso soup; and ‘Western’, characterized by high intake of beef and pork, processed meat, vegetable oil, chicken, eggs, shellfish, and salt-containing seasonings. Results showed that a higher adherence to both the healthy and Japanese patterns were independently associated with a reduced incidence of depressive symptoms during pregnancy. No association was observed between the Western dietary pattern and depressive symptoms during pregnancy.
Miyake Y et al. Dietary patterns and depressive symptoms during pregnancy in Japan: Baseline data from the Kyushu Okinawa Maternal and Child Health Study. J Affect Disord. 2018 Jan 1;225:552-558