(P13-012-24) An Inverse Association Between Prebiotic Consumption and Depression Status in American Adult Females, but Not in Males or Total Population: NHANES 2015–2018

Objectives: Consuming prebiotics positively impacts health. However, it is unclear if prebiotic intake and depression status are associated. Evaluating mean daily prebiotic intake across sex and depression subgroups and comparing prebiotic intake to the 5 g/day minimum effective dose is a novel approach in microbiota and mental health research. We hypothesized that subgroups of adult Americans that consumed lower amounts of prebiotics ( < 5 g/day) would be at higher risk for depression.

Methods: Using 2015-2018 NHANES cycles data, adult American estimated mean daily prebiotic intake across demographic groups, gender, and depression status were estimated. Adults (≥ 18 years) with adequate sleep and ≥ 1 day of dietary recall data were included. Prebiotic intake was estimated based on prebiotic content of individual foods or major ingredients in mixed foods. Depression status was determined based on the Patient Health Questionnaire 9. Participants with excessive alcohol intake, BMI ≤ 18, BMI ≥ 30, or current depression medication use were excluded. Complex Samples Logistic Regression was used to analyze the relationship between estimated mean daily prebiotic intake and depression status. Variables that were controlled for included inadequate sleep, unemployment, and age.

Results: Adult estimated mean daily prebiotic intake was 6.4 g (SE=0.07). Male non-depressed participants had a daily mean prebiotic intake of 7.5 g (0.18) and female depressed participants had a mean intake of 4.4 g (0.26). The female depressed group had an estimated mean prebiotic intake below the minimum effective dose of prebiotics of 5 g/day, and there was a significant relationship (p < 0.002) between prebiotic intake and depression status in this group. Holding all other predictor variables constant, the odds of depression occurring increased by 60.3% (95% CI [1.202–2.136]) for female participants who consumed less than the 5 g/day minimum effective dose of prebiotics.

Conclusions: These findings are the first to find a significant relationship between prebiotic intake and depression in the female subpopulation. This newly discovered relationship between prebiotic intake and depression illuminates an accessible and easily implementable way to support both microbiota health and mental health.

Funding Sources: N/A