Ketogenic diet linked to reduced stress and improved mood: Study

In a recent study featured in the Nutrition journal, investigators from Northumbria University, UK, delved into the correlation between adherence to a ketogenic diet and the various aspects of mental health—including calmness, contentment, alertness, and emotional well-being—among the overall healthy population.

The ketogenic diet, characterized by its high fat and low carbohydrate content, induces a metabolic shift from glycolysis to fatty acid oxidation, offering alternative energy sources for both the body and brain. While historically employed to manage epilepsy and investigated in various neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders, its implications for the general population remain less explored.

The ketogenic diet also offers potential benefits for mood regulation and stress reduction. This dietary approach prompts a metabolic shift in the body, favouring the production of ketone bodies, which have been associated with enhanced cognitive function and mood stabilisation. Additionally, by reducing carbohydrate intake and increasing fat consumption, the ketogenic diet may help decrease inflammation, a common factor in mood disorders like depression and anxiety. Through these mechanisms, the ketogenic diet holds promise as a strategy to improve mood and alleviate stress levels.

The study involved two cohorts, adhering to ethical standards. Cohort 1 (Feb-Oct 2021) completed the Perceived Stress Scale and Bond-Lader visual analog scales online. Cohort 2 (Jan-Jul 2022) used the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale and a loneliness scale. Both cohorts shared demographic, socioeconomic, and dietary data via an online platform, including a short-form food frequency questionnaire. The analysis compared psychological and dietary metrics between ketogenic and non-ketogenic diet groups.

Cohort 1 showed age and BMI differences between ketogenic and non-ketogenic groups, with higher blood pressure among ketogenic participants. Dietary patterns indicated more adherence to ketogenic guidelines. Cohort 2 displayed similar age differences but no significant BMI variation.

Both cohorts revealed better mood and lower stress levels among ketogenic participants, with Cohort 2 also reporting reduced depression, anxiety, stress, and loneliness. Longer adherence to the ketogenic diet correlated with psychological benefits in both cohorts, while the immediate metabolic state showed no significant impact on outcomes.

The findings concluded that a ketogenic diet could boost psychological well-being. Participants on the diet reported notably higher levels of calmness, contentedness, and alertness, along with reduced stress, depression, and anxiety. While improvements in loneliness were not statistically significant after adjusting for demographics, longer adherence to the diet correlated with greater benefits.

Reference: Sarah Garner, Evan Davies, Emma Barkus, Ann-Katrin Kraeuter; Ketogenic diet has a positive association with mental and emotional well-being in the general population; Nutrition; 2024; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2024.112420.