EFFECTS OF CALORIC RESTRICTION ON MOOD, ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION

Abstract

Introduction: Caloric restriction may exert an adjuvant effect on antidepressant medication, supporting the treatment of psychological disorders by influencing the neuroendocrine system and mood. Objective: To analyze the effects of caloric deficit on different mental health variables, with emphasis on depressive and anxiety symptoms. Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted in the PUBMED, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and MEDLINE databases, without time restrictions, using the descriptors depression, anxiety, mental health, calorie restriction, low calorie, and fasting. Results: The most frequently employed assessment instruments were the Profile of Mood States (POMS), the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Dietary protocols varied, including restrictions of 300 to 500 kcal/day, reductions of 10% to 30% of total energy intake, a 1.090 kcal diet on day 1 followed by 725 kcal from days 2 to 5, and a restriction of 266 kcal/day. Of the 19 studies analyzed, 11 reported positive effects, while 6 reported negative outcomes of caloric restriction. Reported benefits included significant reductions in tension, anger, and confusion, reflecting improvements in psychological well-being, self-esteem, mood, mental clarity, and quality of life. Adverse effects on mental health parameters included increased perception of tension, greater fatigue, alterations in vigor, and emotional disturbances. Conclusions: Caloric restriction demonstrated potential to promote relevant benefits to mental health, particularly through the improvement of depressive symptoms, when associated with good dietary adherence in the medium and long term. Excessively restrictive and short-term protocols were associated with poorer psychological outcomes, reinforcing the importance of individualization, professional monitoring, and the adoption of sustainable strategies to maximize positive effects and reduce risks.