An orange a day may reduce depression risk by 20%: Study

An apple a day, keeps the doctor away?We might need to rethink, as a new study by researchers at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital says eating an orange a day may lower a person's risk of depression by 20%.According to a study published in Microbiome, eating an orange a day may lower a person's depression risk by 20%.The study, which was led by Dr Raaj Mehta, an instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School and a physician at Massachusetts General Hospital, found that citrus stimulates the growth of a bacteria found in the gut that influences the production of two brain chemicals known to elevate mood, serotonin, and dopamine. Researchers looked at data from more than 100,000 women who provided detailed information about their diet and health. The study only found a link to a lower depression risk with citrus, not other fruits such as apples and bananas. That might be because citrus stimulates the growth of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (F. prausnitzii), a type of bacteria found in the human gut, to influence production of the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine—two biological molecules known to elevate mood.More research in this area is underway, but this adds to the mounting evidence that what we eat and its effects on the gut microbiome can have a profound effect on our overall well-being. Recently, a study out of Mass General Brigham found that eating yogurt regularly might help protect against an aggressive form of colorectal cancer. Study leader Dr Raaj Mehta said that one day, eating oranges could be part of a treatment plan for managing depression that also involves traditional antidepressants. He told The Harvard Gazette, "I would love to see a clinical trial done to definitively show that eating citrus can lower the risk of depression, or maybe even alleviate the condition in some cases. There's such a huge unmet need for depression treatments, and eating citrus doesn't really have any major side effects, so it would be great to see how much this simple treatment can help."Citrus fruits have many health benefits, including boosting the immune system, supporting heart health, and improving digestion. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Several compounds in citrus fruits can improve markers of heart health. For example, their soluble fiber and flavonoids may improve cholesterol levels by raising “good” HDL cholesterol and lowering “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Citrus fruits, including oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits, and clementines, are an excellent source of vitamin C. Vitamin C supports your immune system, which plays a role in maintaining healthy skin, bones, and blood vessels. Apart from being one of the most yummy (both as per looks and taste) fruits, oranges have many health benefits, including boosting the immune system, improving heart health, and supporting digestion.Immune system: Vitamin C in oranges helps protect cells from damage and boosts the immune system, helps the body make collagen, which heals wounds and gives skin a smoother appearance.Heart health: Flavonoids in oranges, like hesperidin, reduce cholesterol and prevent arteries from getting blocked. Antioxidants in oranges support heart health.Digestion: Soluble fiber in oranges slows down digestion, which can help prevent blood sugar spikes and hunger pangs. Fiber in oranges can help reduce belly fat as well.Skin health: Vitamin C in oranges helps the body make collagen, which heals wounds and gives skin a smoother appearance. Besides, antioxidants in oranges help combat oxidative stress and support cellular repair.