Diet rich in soy, fermented foods may lower postpartum depression
Soy and fermented food diet may lower postpartum depression by boosting gut health.
Why it matters
- Postpartum depression affects 10-20% of mothers globally.
- Dietary interventions could offer non-drug support for mental health.
By the numbers
- Study involved 344 mothers; 14% had high depression risk.
The big picture
- Soy-fermented food diet linked to lower depression and healthier gut bacteria.
- Supports gut-brain axis in maternal mental health.
Caveats
- Study can't prove causation; dietary intake was self-reported.
- Results may not apply to non-Japanese diets.
What’s next
- Further studies planned to test dietary interventions for postpartum mental health.