Anthocyanin-rich fruits and mental health outcomes in an Italian cohort

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that diets rich in flavonoids affect human health. Among flavonoids, anthocyanins have been demonstrated to exert beneficial effects toward brain through modulation of neuroinflammation, neurogenesis, neuronal signaling and by modulating gut microbiota. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the association between consumption of anthocyanin-rich fruits (strawberries, berries, cherries, prickly pears, grapes, blood oranges) and mental health in an Italian cohort study. METHODS: Dietary information was collected using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Mental health outcomes were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the 10-item Center for the Epidemiological Studies of Depression Short Form (CES-D-10) as a screening tool for sleep quality, perceived stress and depressive symptoms, respectively. RESULTS: A significant inverse association between higher anthocyanin-rich fruits intake and occurrence of poor sleep quality, high perceived stress, and depressive symptoms was found. In the most adjusted model, individuals in the highest tertile of anthocyanin-rich fruits were less likely to have poor sleep quality (OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.47–0.86), high perceived stress (OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.51–0.92), and depressive symptoms (OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.49–0.90). CONCLUSIONS: Diets including fruits rich in anthocyanins may result in positive mental health outcomes.