Depression is one of the most common mental disorders worldwide. And its symptoms can be very difficult to manage.
However, one study claims that eating a high-fat, low-carb diet can help reduce symptoms.
In a comparison by experts, they said that one in five people in Britain have experienced some form of depression and that one in three will not have their symptoms completely resolved by antidepressants.
This group was described as having treatment-resistant depression and according to research, eating a ketogenic or ‘keto’ diet may help.
The regimen forces the body into a metabolic state called ketosis, where it burns fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates.
Experts believe that it can reduce inflammation in the brain and alleviate symptoms of depression.
A 2025 study found that a keto diet reduced symptoms of depression in college students by as much as 70 percent.
To investigate this effect, a group of researchers from the University of Oxford took a sample of 88 adults with depression, for whom traditional antidepressants had not worked. Participants were randomly assigned a keto or non-keto diet.
Those following the keto plan were given three prepared meals and snacks, which provided less than 30 grams of carbohydrates per day.
While the non-ketogenic diet group was advised to eat normally, with small changes such as swapping saturated fats for unsaturated fats and eating an extra portion of fruits and vegetables per day.
Both groups also continued their usual medications.
After six weeks, the researchers found that those who followed the keto diet saw a significant reduction in their depressive symptoms.
Although it was difficult for most participants to maintain the diet after the trial was over, lead researcher Dr. Min Gao: “Our study suggests that following a ketogenic diet in addition to usual care may provide small benefits for depression.”
In addition, keto diets are already used as a treatment for seizures, and recent studies have begun to investigate their use in other mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
