Researchers looked at what people eat when they have mental health challenges like anxiety, sleep problems, or eating disorders. They studied nearly 24,000 people in France and found that people dealing with multiple mental health issues at the same time tend to eat differently than others. Specifically, men with all three conditions ate more carbohydrates (like bread and pasta) and less protein and healthy fats. They also drank more caffeine. This research helps scientists understand whether certain eating patterns might be connected to mental health struggles, though it doesn’t prove that food causes these problems.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Do people with mental health problems like anxiety, insomnia, and eating disorders eat differently than people without these conditions?
  • Who participated: Nearly 24,000 adults from France who participated in a long-term health study between 2013 and 2017. Researchers tracked what they ate using detailed food records.
  • Key finding: Men who had all three mental health conditions together ate significantly more carbohydrates and less protein and fat compared to men without these conditions. They also consumed more caffeine. However, water intake didn’t show a clear connection to mental health problems.
  • What it means for you: This research suggests there may be a link between diet and mental health, but it doesn’t prove that changing what you eat will fix anxiety or sleep problems. If you’re struggling with mental health, talk to a doctor or mental health professional—diet might be one helpful piece of the puzzle, but it’s not a replacement for professional treatment.

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers took a snapshot of people’s eating habits at one point in time and compared different groups. They used information from the NutriNet-Santé study, a large French health project that has been tracking people’s diets and health since 2009. Participants filled out detailed food diaries (at least three separate 24-hour records) where they wrote down everything they ate and drank. Researchers then looked at how much protein, carbohydrates, fats, caffeine, and water each person consumed based on their mental health status.

The study divided people into groups: those with no mental health issues, those with just anxiety, those with just insomnia, those with just eating disorders, and those with combinations of these conditions. They used statistical tools to compare the eating patterns between groups and adjusted the results to match the overall French population.

This approach is useful for spotting patterns and generating new ideas about how diet might relate to mental health. By looking at real-world eating data from thousands of people, researchers can see if certain eating patterns appear more often in people with specific mental health challenges. However, this type of study can only show connections, not prove that one thing causes another.

Strengths: The study included a large number of people (nearly 24,000), which makes the findings more reliable. Researchers used detailed food records rather than just asking people to remember what they ate. The data came from a well-established health study. Limitations: This study only shows what people ate at one time period, so we don’t know if these eating patterns caused the mental health problems or resulted from them. People who keep food diaries might be different from the general population. The study can’t prove cause-and-effect relationships.

What the Results Show

Men who had all three mental health conditions (anxiety, insomnia, and eating disorders together) showed the most noticeable differences in what they ate. They consumed a higher percentage of their daily calories from carbohydrates and a lower percentage from protein and fats compared to men without these conditions.

People with multiple mental health conditions also had higher rates of obesity and drank more caffeine than other groups. This pattern was consistent across both men and women, though the differences were most striking in men.

Interestingly, water intake didn’t show a clear pattern related to mental health status. People with mental health challenges didn’t consistently drink more or less water than others.

The study found that people dealing with multiple mental health issues at the same time (called multimorbidity) had the highest obesity rates across all groups. This suggests that the combination of these conditions might be associated with weight gain. Caffeine consumption was notably higher in people with multiple mental health conditions, which could be relevant since caffeine can affect sleep and anxiety.

Previous research has suggested connections between diet and mental health, but most studies have focused on single conditions rather than looking at people with multiple mental health challenges at the same time. This study adds to that body of research by examining how eating patterns differ when people have combinations of anxiety, sleep problems, and eating disorders together.

This study shows associations but cannot prove that diet causes mental health problems or vice versa. It’s possible that having mental health challenges changes what people eat, rather than diet causing the problems. The study only looked at one point in time, so we don’t know if these eating patterns stay the same over time. People who volunteer for detailed food studies might eat differently than the general population. The study was conducted in France, so results might not apply to other countries with different food cultures.

The Bottom Line

This research suggests that people with mental health challenges may benefit from working with healthcare providers to evaluate their overall diet and nutrition. However, diet should be considered as one part of a comprehensive mental health treatment plan, not as a replacement for therapy or medication. If you have anxiety, sleep problems, or eating disorders, consult with a doctor or mental health professional who can provide personalized guidance. Moderate confidence: The findings suggest a connection worth exploring, but more research is needed to understand the relationship.

This research is most relevant to people experiencing anxiety, insomnia, or eating disorders, as well as healthcare providers treating these conditions. It may also interest people studying the connections between nutrition and mental health. This is not a treatment recommendation for anyone—it’s an observation about eating patterns that could inspire future research and clinical conversations.

If diet changes are recommended by a healthcare provider, improvements in mental health symptoms typically take weeks to months to become noticeable. Don’t expect immediate changes. Mental health treatment usually requires patience and a combination of approaches.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily macronutrient intake (carbohydrates, protein, and fat percentages) along with caffeine consumption and mood/anxiety levels. Use the app to record what you eat for at least 3-7 days to identify patterns between your diet and how you feel.
  • If working with a healthcare provider, use the app to monitor whether you’re meeting any dietary recommendations they suggest. For example, if advised to increase protein intake, track protein grams daily and note any changes in energy, sleep, or mood over 4-6 weeks.
  • Create a weekly summary view showing average macronutrient percentages, caffeine intake, and corresponding mood/anxiety ratings. Look for patterns over 4-week periods rather than day-to-day changes. Share this data with your healthcare provider to inform treatment decisions.

This research describes associations between eating patterns and mental health conditions but does not prove that diet causes or cures mental health disorders. Mental health conditions are complex and require professional treatment. If you’re experiencing anxiety, insomnia, eating disorders, or other mental health challenges, please consult with a qualified healthcare provider, therapist, or psychiatrist. Do not use dietary changes as a substitute for professional mental health treatment. Always discuss any significant dietary changes with your doctor, especially if you take medications or have existing health conditions.