Food and Behaviour Research

Donate Log In
Advanced Search

UK Nutrient Gaps and Impacts on Early Development with Dr Emma Derbyshire and TC Callis - BOOK HERE

The association between dietary exposures and anxiety symptoms: A prospective analysis of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health cohort

Lee M F, Orr R, Marx W, Jacka F N, O'Neil A, Lane M M, Ashtree D N (2025) Journal of Affective Disorders Volume 389, 15 November 2025, 119651 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2025.119651 

Web URL: Read this research on Science Direct

Abstract:

Background

Nutrition is a potentially modifiable risk factor for mental disorders. Since anxiety is the most common mental disorder globally and most commonly impacts women, understanding its relationship with dietary exposures may elucidate important prevention and treatment approaches. We aimed to explore the association between dietary exposures and incident anxiety in women.

Methods

We used prospective longitudinal dietary data from 20,307 women enrolled in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health from 1973 to 1978 (young cohort between waves 3–5) and 1946–1951 (mid cohort between waves 3–7). Dietary exposures were defined according to the Global Burden of Disease framework (from wave 3). The primary outcome, anxiety and secondary outcome, depression were measured using subscales of the Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale (from wave 4). Generalized estimating equation Poisson regression models estimated risk ratios with 95 % confidence intervals, adjusting for age, socioeconomic status, and energy intake.

Results

Higher intakes of vegetables (adjusted risk ratio [aRR]: 0.94, 95%CI: 0.93–0.96 per serve increase), fruits (aRR: 0.93, 95%CI: 0.92–0.94), nuts and seeds (aRR: 0.93, 95%CI: 0.89–0.98 per serve), milk (aRR: 0.98, 95%CI: 0.96 to 0.99 per serve), fiber (aRR: 0.76, 95%CI: 0.72 to 0.81 per 30-g) and calcium (aRR: 0.88, 95%CI: 0.84 to 0.91 per gram) were associated with lower risk of incident anxiety. Conversely, higher intake of processed meat (aRR: 1.02, 95%CI: 1.00–1.05 per serve) and sodium (aRR: 1.15, 95 % CI: 1.09–1.22 per 2-g) was associated with higher anxiety risk.

Conclusions

Higher intake of plant-based foods and lower intake of processed foods may help reduce the risk of anxiety. Further prospective and intervention studies should confirm these associations and underlying biological mechanisms.

FAB RESEARCH COMMENT:

New Australian research in women shows eating fewer processed foods and more plant-based foods may help reduce the risk of anxiety symptoms

While there is a growing body of research linking diet and depressive symptoms, the association between diet and anxiety symptoms is much less researched. Bond University’s Dr Megan Lee led on this paper looking at the association between diet quality and anxiety, which was co-authored by Food & Mood researchers including senior author Dr Deborah Ashtree. The study used data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health looking at over 20,000 women to understand the link between diet and anxiety. It found that eating more plant-based foods and fewer processed foods may help reduce the risk of anxiety symptoms. The paper marks the first published results for the GLAD Team at the Food & Mood Centre, which aims to produce data investigating the effect of lifestyle habits on mental health conditions.

Food and Behaviour Research is a registered charity (No SC034604) and a company limited by guarantee (Co No SC 253448)

Newsletter Signup

Sign up here to receive our free newletters.

Useful Links

Contact Us

FAB Research 
23 Carlton Road
Oxford
OX2 7SA

Important Notice

Medical opinion and guidance should always be sought for any symptoms that might possibly reflect a known or suspected disease, disorder or medical condition. Information provided on this website (or by FAB Research via any other means) does not in any way constitute advice on the treatment of any medical condition formally diagnosed or otherwise.

Site by Redstone Websites. Easy to Use Web Content Management. 2026 © All Rights Reserved.