Citrus & Your Mood: How Oranges Can Fight Depression

Story at-a-glance

• Depression affects more than 280 million people worldwide. Many patients do not fully respond to first-line medications or experience adverse side effects. This makes dietary influences on mood increasingly important
• Regular citrus consumption is linked to a 22% reduced depression risk by increasing beneficial gut bacteria like Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, which supports neurotransmitter production
• Citrus contains naringenin, formononetin, and hesperidin — plant compounds that nourish gut bacteria and influence the biochemical pathway responsible for neurotransmitter balance
• Ultraprocessed food consumption increases depression risk by 49%, with artificial sweeteners and processed snacks being particularly harmful to gut health and brain function
• Improving gut health requires removing vegetable oils, reducing endocrine disruptors and electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure, optimizing carbohydrate intake, and considering beneficial bacteria supplements