There is a substantial body of observational research spanning different regions and demographics indicating that improved diet quality may serve as a protective factor against mental health conditions. Recent advances in nutritional science have directed attention towards the role of food processing as an independent determinant of diet quality and its potential impact on mental health outcomes. However, our understanding of how diets high in ultra-processed foods influence mental health and the underlying biological pathways remains largely unexplored.
Hence, our proposed project aims to delve deeper into the association between ultra-processed food consumption and mental health outcomes, including the biomarkers implicated in this pathway, by 1) investigating the association between ultra-processed food consumption and mental health outcomes, and 2) exploring potential mechanisms of action using brain imaging and biochemistry data. We will estimate the consumption of ultra-processed foods based on the 24-h dietary recall of each participant within the UK Biobank using Nova, a previously established food classification method. Through integrating various modalities of brain imaging data and blood measures, including inflammatory markers and metabolomics, we aim to identify key brain regions, networks, and biomarkers associated with both ultra-processed food consumption and mental and brain health outcomes. Finally, we will conduct a mediation analysis to elucidate the potential connections among these factors.
Integrating objective technologies such as brain imaging and biochemical analyses will enable us to explore the pathways through which diet might plausibly affect mental health. This approach has the potential to advance the field of Nutritional Psychiatry, allowing for the customisation of personalized treatment options.