Recent studies have highlighted the potential for diet, physical activity, and medication to influence depression risk.
Depression, a condition affecting approximately 5% of adults globally, can significantly impact quality of life. Several recent studies have investigated how specific lifestyle changes might alter the risk of developing this mental health disorder.
Research suggests that certain diabetes medications could have an unexpected benefit. A study from February 2025, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, indicates that individuals using glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1), such as Ozempic, may experience a lower depression risk compared to those taking other diabetes drugs, like dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i), such as Januvia. Participants on GLP-1 drugs showed a 10% reduced risk of depression. Dr. Andres Splenser, an endocrinologist who was not involved in the study, speculated that the link might relate to mood and appetite control, noting that better appetite regulation could lead to healthier meal choices and an overall improvement in well-being.
Diet also appears to play a crucial role. A November 2024 study from the journal Microbiome found that consuming an orange daily could reduce depression risk by up to 20%. The research focused on the gut microbiome of more than 32,000 women and discovered that citrus consumption is associated with an increase in certain beneficial bacteria, which might help mitigate depression. Dr. Raaj Mehta, the study’s lead author, noted that this effect was specific to citrus fruits, as no similar relationship was observed with other fruits.
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Physical activity is another important factor. Upcoming research to be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 77th Annual Meeting highlights that regular moderate-to-vigorous exercise is linked to a decreased risk of several neuropsychiatric conditions, including depression. The study examined over 73,000 older adults and found that those engaging in such physical activity had a 14% to 40% lower risk of these conditions compared to their sedentary counterparts. Co-lead author Dr. Jia-Yi Wu emphasized the importance of reducing sedentary behavior, especially for those who find intense physical activity challenging. This perspective aligns with the insights of Dr. David Merrill, a geriatric psychiatrist, who emphasized the protective impact of physical activity on brain health.
These studies underscore the potential of lifestyle changes, such as diet modification and increased physical activity, and certain medications, to lower depression risk. While genetic factors may be immutable, these findings suggest actionable steps can be taken to improve mental health outcomes.
