Study Finds No Clear Link Between Red Meat, Ultra-Processed Foods, and Postpartum Depression
A recent prospective cohort study published in *Scientific Reports* investigated the potential associations between maternal consumption of red meat and ultra-processed foods (UPFs) during pregnancy and the risk of probable postpartum depression (PPD). Researchers enrolled pregnant women in Iran and assessed their dietary intake during the third trimester using a food frequency questionnaire. UPFs were classified using the NOVA system, and red meat included beef, lamb, and organ meats. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale four to six weeks postpartum. The study included 264 participants, with 52 women experiencing probable PPD. After adjusting for various factors such as total energy intake, pre-pregnancy BMI, maternal age, education, socioeconomic status, n-3 fatty acid intake, and gestational diabetes, the researchers found no significant associations between the intake of UPFs or red meat and probable PPD. The study acknowledges limitations, including the use...
