Japanese Diet Linked to Lower Depression Risk, Landmark Study Finds
A groundbreaking new study from the Japan Institute for Health Security has found that adults adhering to a traditional Japanese-style diet experience significantly lower rates of depressive symptoms. The research, the first of its kind conducted at this scale in Japan, could have important ramifications for public health and workplace mental wellness initiatives both in Thailand and worldwide.
The relevance of these findings is especially sharp for Thai readers. With depression rates steadily rising in Thailand and across Asia, understanding the role of diet in mental well-being may offer a practical and culturally adaptable path toward prevention. Modern Thai society, like Japan, is facing rapid urbanization, social isolation, and dietary shifts that impact both physical and mental health. As Thais increasingly adopt processed and Westernized eating habits, this new evidence spotlights the potential power of returning to traditional foodways.