, Oct. 1 -- A small preliminary study by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco suggests that reducing ultra-processed foods may help ease symptoms of depression.

Published Sept. 23 in JAMA Psychiatry and funded by the National Institutes of Health, the study is believed to be the first to compare depression symptoms in the same participants before and after they switched from their regular diet to one containing healthier foods.

The pilot study involved only 20 people. However, senior author Andrew Krystal, MD, said the research showed that a larger study examining the possible link between diet and mental health is feasible.

Depression symptoms improved after dietary change

Participants reduced their consumption ...