We’ve all heard that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”, but could an orange a day keep the blues away? 🍊
A new study from Harvard Medical School analyzed data from over 30,000 women and found that eating one medium orange a day was linked to a 20% lower risk of developing depression.
🧠 Why? The study suggests that citrus fruits may boost levels of beneficial gut bacteria (F. prausnitzii), which helps support serotonin and dopamine production, two key neurotransmitters that regulate mood.
🍊 The effect was specific to citrus! Other fruits, like apples or bananas, did not show the same link to depression risk.
While the study can’t prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship, it highlights the important connection between gut health and mental health.
Do you regularly eat oranges, lemons, or grapefruits? Have you ever noticed a difference in your mood based on what you eat?
Somya.P
Community managerGood advisor
Somya.P
Community manager
Last activity on 11/29/2025 at 3:58 AM
Joined in 2023
820 comments posted | 36 in the Depression Forum
24 of their responses were helpful to members
Rewards
Good Advisor
Contributor
Messenger
Explorer
Friend
Hi everyone, how are you doing today? 😊
We’ve all heard that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”, but could an orange a day keep the blues away? 🍊
A new study from Harvard Medical School analyzed data from over 30,000 women and found that eating one medium orange a day was linked to a 20% lower risk of developing depression.
🧠 Why? The study suggests that citrus fruits may boost levels of beneficial gut bacteria (F. prausnitzii), which helps support serotonin and dopamine production, two key neurotransmitters that regulate mood.
🍊 The effect was specific to citrus! Other fruits, like apples or bananas, did not show the same link to depression risk.
While the study can’t prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship, it highlights the important connection between gut health and mental health.
Do you regularly eat oranges, lemons, or grapefruits? Have you ever noticed a difference in your mood based on what you eat?
@Michelle @tator1999 @ashboling1256 @Kj2020 @mrjrbtlr72 @cbholder3 @Ericadoni4 @Annie123 @Seb3060 @Lisa1963 @Pink25 @Maggy610 @Skyhigh1990 @Babyface @jmcoviello @Coolahrens @ChrissyFish @charding8290 @LindaN @LisaK1962 @Bsisco66 @LisaNM @maemandy @Dr.WhoPeggygmail.com @FrancescaZoe @Ranget @MountainMan @Lgonz73 @Jbutler2007 @Lauriephelan @lrice999 @gabie98 @Anchorwoman @Spence0 @azaleas @Lottoqueen @Robinj63 @Bemitch53 @SherrillClark @savessad @Tootallpanda90 @sweetiecakes87 @pinkbubbly22 @Abb123 @Kimberly56 @ShadowSlayerOFA @JohnQP @Pcox02004 @Vonnielynn @Chadshep @Jamespogue530 @deppstand @Truint40 @Byrdie8⁸ @kisslamarre @Txgirl66 @Mammabear85 @chais18a @Blood31 @Melancholy#66 @Mackarooz @kaki!864 @sunshine490 @Lollo4 @bonkistobias♡ @williamjacob @SurajRoy @MichaelWilson1 @brokencookie @Idunnoanymore @rollingstone1 @Eg1027 @Deborahsmith620 @sivasilvan @Samatha_lea @ericawilson30ew @Pebbles21 @Jen816 @Dawnrenee @DonnaRobin @lyliacooper @Aaronr0128 @Mmarcotte1205 @Joni68 @enever @CharltonConor @JeanParcks @Hotmarchelle70 @paula147 @ropimate @athletefun @northcaddie @KikiGoodman @iamcole @Joseth1na @dallasflynn @classtactics @dschal2002 @Clara_john78 @docein
Looking forward to your thoughts,
Somya from the Carenity Team 🌼