Researchers studied 698 young Ukrainian adults to understand how war-related trauma affects eating patterns and physical health. They found that people experiencing PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) from the war tend to follow stricter diets, eat more emotionally, and show changes in their blood cells and immune system. Interestingly, people who followed a Mediterranean diet—rich in vegetables, fish, and olive oil—were less likely to develop PTSD. The study suggests that trauma, eating behavior, and immune system changes are all connected, which could help doctors better support people dealing with war-related stress.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether people with PTSD from war have different eating habits and blood cell changes compared to people without PTSD
  • Who participated: 698 young adults living in Ukraine, divided into two groups: those with PTSD symptoms from the war and those without
  • Key finding: Young adults with PTSD were more likely to follow very restrictive diets (like keto or intermittent fasting), eat based on emotions rather than hunger, and had lower red blood cell counts with higher inflammation markers in their blood
  • What it means for you: If you or someone you know is experiencing trauma-related stress, paying attention to eating patterns and overall nutrition may be an important part of recovery. However, this research shows a connection, not necessarily that one causes the other, so talk to a healthcare provider about personalized advice.

The Research Details

This was a case-control study, which means researchers compared two groups of people: those with PTSD and those without. They asked participants about their eating habits, measured how emotionally they eat, and took blood samples to check their blood cell counts and inflammation levels. The researchers used advanced computer analysis (machine learning) to figure out which blood markers were most strongly connected to PTSD.

Case-control studies are like detective work—researchers look backward to find patterns and connections between different factors. In this case, they were looking for links between trauma, eating behavior, and blood health. This type of study is good at finding associations but can’t prove that one thing directly causes another.

Understanding how trauma affects eating and the immune system is important because it helps doctors recognize that PTSD isn’t just a mental health issue—it affects the whole body. If we know that certain eating patterns and blood changes go along with PTSD, doctors can screen for these signs and offer better support. This is especially important for young people dealing with war-related trauma who might not realize their eating habits or physical symptoms are connected to their stress.

This study was published in Scientific Reports, a well-respected scientific journal. The sample size of 698 people is reasonably large, which makes the findings more reliable. However, because this is a case-control study, we can see that things are connected but can’t be completely sure about cause-and-effect. The study was done in Ukraine with Ukrainian participants, so results might be different in other countries or populations.

What the Results Show

The study found clear differences between people with PTSD and those without. People with PTSD were significantly more likely to follow restrictive diets like the ketogenic diet (very low carbs), low-fat diets, or intermittent fasting (eating only during certain hours). They also scored higher on emotional eating—meaning they ate more when stressed, bored, or sad rather than when physically hungry. They also ate more in response to external cues like seeing food or smelling it.

In their blood work, people with PTSD had lower levels of hemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells) and fewer red blood cells overall. This could explain why they might feel tired or weak. More importantly, their immune systems showed signs of inflammation, particularly a higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR)—basically, certain types of white blood cells were out of balance, suggesting their immune system was in a stressed state.

When researchers used computer analysis to find the strongest predictors of PTSD, three blood markers stood out: the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, white blood cell count, and hemoglobin levels. This suggests that immune system changes might be one of the body’s ways of responding to severe trauma.

One particularly interesting finding was that people who followed a Mediterranean diet—which emphasizes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, and olive oil—were significantly less likely to have PTSD. This suggests that certain eating patterns might actually protect against or help with trauma-related stress. The study also found that the connection between restrictive diets and PTSD was strong and consistent across the group studied.

Previous research has shown that trauma affects the immune system and can cause inflammation, but this study adds new information by showing specific connections to eating behavior. Other studies have suggested that the Mediterranean diet is good for mental health, and this research supports that idea in the context of war-related trauma. The findings fit with what we know about how stress affects the body—it changes eating patterns, increases inflammation, and affects blood cell production.

This study was done only with Ukrainian young adults during wartime, so the results might not apply to other groups or countries. Because it’s a case-control study, we can’t say for certain that PTSD causes the eating changes and blood cell changes—they might all be caused by something else, or the eating changes might actually contribute to PTSD. The study is also a snapshot in time, so we don’t know if these patterns stay the same over months or years. Additionally, people’s memories about their eating habits might not be perfectly accurate.

The Bottom Line

If you’re experiencing trauma-related stress: (1) Consider eating patterns that include whole foods, vegetables, and fish rather than very restrictive diets—moderate confidence based on this research. (2) Pay attention to emotional eating and try to eat when physically hungry rather than when stressed—moderate confidence. (3) Talk to a healthcare provider about your symptoms and eating habits, especially if you feel tired or notice changes in your appetite. (4) If possible, include Mediterranean-style foods in your diet—moderate confidence based on this study’s findings.

This research is most relevant for young adults dealing with war-related trauma or PTSD, their families, and healthcare providers working with trauma survivors. It’s also important for anyone experiencing significant stress who notices changes in their eating habits or energy levels. People in other countries experiencing trauma or chronic stress may also find this information helpful, though results might differ.

Changes in eating patterns might happen relatively quickly (weeks to months) in response to trauma. However, improvements in blood markers and immune function from dietary changes typically take several weeks to months to show up in blood tests. Mental health improvements from better nutrition and stress management usually take 4-12 weeks to become noticeable.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily eating patterns by logging: (1) What you eat and when, (2) Your hunger level before eating (1-10 scale), (3) Your emotional state when eating, and (4) Energy levels throughout the day. This helps identify patterns between stress, emotions, and eating choices.
  • Start by adding one Mediterranean-style meal per week (like fish with vegetables and olive oil), then gradually increase to 2-3 times weekly. Use the app to set reminders to eat regular meals at consistent times, which can help reduce emotional eating and stabilize energy levels.
  • Weekly review of eating patterns to identify triggers for restrictive eating or emotional eating. Monthly check-ins on energy levels and mood. If using a health tracker, monitor any available markers like sleep quality and stress levels to see how they correlate with eating patterns and overall wellbeing.

This research shows associations between PTSD, eating patterns, and blood markers in Ukrainian young adults during wartime, but does not prove cause-and-effect relationships. If you’re experiencing PTSD, trauma symptoms, or significant changes in eating habits, please consult with a qualified healthcare provider, mental health professional, or registered dietitian for personalized evaluation and treatment. This information is educational and should not replace professional medical or mental health care. The findings may not apply to all populations or situations outside of war-related trauma contexts.