Ketogenic Diets Show Promise in Improving Depressive Symptoms, Meta-Analysis Suggests

A 2026 meta-analysis published in JAMA Psychiatry, referenced in a recent health article, indicates that ketogenic diets significantly improved depressive symptoms compared to control diets in randomized trials. The study, which included 50 studies and over 41,000 adults, found larger effects in trials that verified ketosis and utilized very-low-carbohydrate diets. This research highlights a potential dietary intervention for individuals experiencing depression, particularly those with metabolic syndrome.