Clinical trial · Supplements / medicine · 1 Oct 2026
In 20 adults with depression, cutting ultra-processed food by more than 85% tracked better symptom scores
Source: UC San Francisco / JAMA Psychiatry
What the research found
Study (small crossover pilot). Nyasha Chagwedera, Andrew Krystal, and colleagues at UC San Francisco report in JAMA Psychiatry (23 September 2026; doi 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2026.2320; ScienceDaily 1 October 2026). Twenty adults with depression (average age 44; 70% women; 14 also had anxiety; high BMI and at least one metabolic disorder) spent four weeks on their usual eating pattern and four weeks choosing foods low in ultra-processed products, with guidance from the team. They cut ultra-processed intake by more than 85%. Depression scores improved by a moderate to large amount on three measures. Anxiety scores improved modestly. The authors describe a possible leaky-gut and low-grade inflammation path; this pilot did not prove that path. Phase 2 enrollment is planned for 2028. Twenty people cannot show that avoiding packaged food treats depression. Educational notes. This is not a diet prescription.
Evidence level: Clinical trial. This is among the stronger kinds of evidence, but one study rarely settles a question.
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