A recent study published in Nutrients found that higher nut consumption is associated with a lower risk of depressive symptoms.
In this meta-analysis, researchers compiled information from seven observational studies on the relationship between nut consumption and depressive symptoms, comprising a total of 70,136 participants. Statistical analysis showed that people who ate three or more servings of nuts per week were about 25% less likely to be classified as having depressive symptoms, compared to those who ate less than one serving of nuts per week.
The authors hypothesized that the possible link between nut consumption and lower depressive symptoms could stem from the many bioactive nutrients naturally present in nuts.
Kim, S., Lee, H., Chen, Q. Y., Park, Y., & Keum, N. (2025). The Association Between Nut Consumption and Risk of Depressive Symptoms: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies. Nutrients, 17(24), 3810.