A team of researchers from the Institute of Biomedical Research in Girona and Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona discovered that an amino acid found in certain foods, such as beef and fish, can trigger depressive symptoms in humans.
The researchers confirmed that consuming diets rich in the amino acid proline, such as those found in gelatin, beef, and some fish, increases the likelihood of experiencing depressive symptoms.
As part of the study, researchers measured the quantity and type of amino acid consumed by volunteers and administered a questionnaire to assess their levels of depression.
"We were surprised by the link between proline and depressive symptoms in the volunteers who participated in the questionnaire," said Dr. Fernandez Real, an endocrinologist and head of the Department of Medical Sciences.
He added, "Blood tests conducted on the volunteers confirmed the association between depression and increased plasma levels of proline in the blood."
The researchers noted that the results demonstrated the effect of proline on the mood of those who consume it, a relationship that had not been considered in previous studies on depression.
It is worth mentioning that depression is a mental and physical illness that affects thinking and behavior, and can lead to numerous problems. It is one of the most widespread diseases in the world, and people with depression often find it difficult to carry on with their daily lives as usual. Depression can affect all age groups; it is not limited to any specific age, gender, race, or social class.