New study suggests calorie restriction may be linked to worsening depression

CNN —

Going too far with a diet might have serious impacts on your mental health.

Cutting your calories down too far could be linked with worse depression symptoms, new research suggests.

A study published Tuesday in the journal BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health looked at data from more than 28,000 adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey , which surveyed participants on their diet quality and depressive symptoms.

People who followed a calorie-restrictive diet, particularly men and people with a body mass index considered overweight, were more likely to have higher symptoms of depression, according to the data.

Quality of diet also mattered. People who reported a diet with more ultraprocessed foods , refined carbs, saturated fats, processed meats and s