Meat consumption, depressive symptomatology and cardiovascular disease incidence in apparently healthy men and women: highlights from the ATTICA cohort study (2002-2012)

Objectives:To evaluate the association of meat consumption with prevalent depressive symptomatology and cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence in apparently healthy individuals. Methods:ATTICA study was conducted during 2001-2012 includingn = 1514 men andn = 1528 women (aged >18 years old) from the greater Athens area, Greece. At baseline, depressive symptomatology through Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (range 20-80) and meat consumption (total meat, red, white and processed meat) through validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire were assessed. Follow-up (2011-2012) was achieved inn = 2020 participants (n = 317 cases);n = 845 participants with complete psychological metrics were used for the primary analysis. Results:Ranking from 1st to 3(rd)total meat consumption (low to high) tertiles, participants assigned in 2(nd)tertile had the lowest depressive-symptomatology scoring (p). This trend was retained in multiadjusted logistic regression analysis; participants reporting moderate total and red meat consumption had similar to 20% lower likelihood to be depressed (i.e. Zung scale<45) compared with their 1st tertile counterparts (Odds Ratio (OR)(total meat)0.82, 95% Confidence Interval (95%CI) (0.60, 0.97) and OR(red meat)0.79 95%CI (0.45, 0.96)). Non-linear associations were revealed; 2-3 serving/week total meat and 1-2 servings/week red meat presented the lowest odds of depressive symptomatology (allps). These U-shape trends seemed to attenuate the aggravating effect of depressive symptomatology on CVD hard endpoints. All aforementioned associations were more evident in women (allps for sex-related interaction). Discussion:The present findings generate the hypothesis that moderate total meat consumption and notably, red meat may be more beneficial to prevent depressed mood and in turn hard CVD endpoints.

Automated summary

Moderate meat consumption, especially red meat, may be beneficial in preventing depressive symptoms and cardiovascular disease in apparently healthy individuals.