A team of researchers from the Biomedical Research Institute in Girona and the Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona discovered that a type of amino acid found in some foods such as beef and fish causes symptoms of depression in humans.
Researchers confirmed that eating meals rich in an acid called proline, such as gelatin, beef, and some fish, increases the likelihood of developing symptoms of depression.
As part of the study, the researchers measured the amount and type of amino acids taken by volunteers in the experiment and subjected them to a questionnaire to assess the extent of their feelings of depression.
Dr. Fernandez Real, an endocrinologist and head of the Department of Medical Sciences, said: “We were amazed by the link between proline acid and depressive symptoms in the volunteers who participated in the survey.”
He added: “The blood analyzes conducted on the volunteers confirmed the link between depression and increased levels of plasma and proline in the blood.”
The researchers pointed out that the results showed the effect of proline acid on the mood of people who receive it, a relationship that was not taken into account during studies related to depression.
It is worth noting that depression is a disease that affects the soul and body and affects the way of thinking and behaving, and can lead to many problems, as it is considered one of the most common diseases in the world, and people with depression are usually unable to continue their daily lives as usual, and depression may affect all age groups, and is not limited to age, gender, race, or a specific group.