Three separate studies have found that GLP-1 medications, citrus fruits like oranges, and exercise may help lower the risk of depression.
Depression affects about 5% of the global population and is a common condition that can severely impact quality of life. It arises from a combination of genetics, dietary habits, lifestyle choices like exercise, and even the medications one takes.
A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in February examined how certain diabetes medications, including GLP-1 drugs, affect the risk of depression. GLP-1 drugs, which include medications like Wegovy, have recently gained attention as treatments for obesity. For diabetes, medications such as Ozempic are available in this category.
The study found that GLP-1 medications were associated with a 10% lower risk of depression compared to DPP4 inhibitors like Januvia.
Another study, published in Microbiome in November 2024, investigated the effect of citrus fruit intake on depression risk. The results showed that individuals who consumed citrus fruits like oranges daily had up to a 20% lower risk of developing depression. The population of 15 types of gut bacteria, including Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, increased in these individuals. Since lower levels of these bacteria are linked to higher depression risk, the researchers suggested that changes in gut microbiota may have contributed to reducing the risk of depression.
A separate study set to be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 77th Annual Meeting in April examined the relationship between exercise and depression. Based on medical data from more than 73,000 adults, the study found that people who engaged in regular moderate to high-intensity exercise had a 14% to 40% lower risk not only of depression but also of dementia, anxiety disorders, stroke, and sleep disorders.
These findings suggest that exercise is effective in preventing not only depression but also a wide range of mental health conditions.
