Abstract

Recent studies showed a link between nutrient consumption and mental health. To study the effects of diet on mood, an anonymous online survey was administered through iMessage, social media, and email. The survey included basic demographic questions and questions on dietary pattern, consumption of certain foods, supplement use, and mood. The Western diet consists of a large amount of trans fats. Since trans fats have been linked to increased anxiety and depression in previous studies, this may affect mood in a negative way.

Pearson Correlation Coefficient was used to analyze data in SPSS version 25.0. There is a correlation between mood such as depression and anxiety, and diet quality. These findings suggest that modulating diet and limiting processed foods may improve mood significantly. Perhaps adding components of the Mediterranean diet will be beneficial to mood due to the abundance of essential vitamins and minerals present.