Is the link between depressed mood and heart rate variability explained by disinhibited eating and diet?

Abstract

Consistently it has been reported that a depressed mood and low heart rate variability (HRV) are linked. However, studies have not considered that the association might be explained by dietary behaviour. The resting inter-beat interval data of 266 adults (Study 1: 156 (51M), Study 2: 112 (38M)) were recorded for six minutes and quantified using linear (HF power: 0.15-0.4Hz) and nonlinear indices (Sample entropy). Participants also completed the Profile of Mood States and the Three Factor Eating questionnaires. The Alternative Healthy Eating Index was used to quantify diet quality. In study 1 mood was associated with HRV; an effect partially mediated by diet. Study 2 replicated the finding: disinhibited eating (the tendency to lose control over one's eating) and diet sequentially mediated the association between mood and HRV. Diet plays a role in the link between mood and HRV and studies should consider the influence of this factor.

Heart-rate variability: a biomarker to study the influence of nutrition on physiological and psychological health?

“…They concluded that vagal–cardiac control reflected the strength of self-regulation such that successful restrained eaters were characterized by higher cardiac vagal control. These findings are in line with two studies that found reduced HR variability and complexity (R–R interval, HF power, sample entropy) in those with a propensity towards disinhibited eating, which is a tendency to overeat in the presence of palatable foods or other disinhibiting stimuli, such as emotional stress ( Young and Watkins, 2016 ; Young et al , 2017a ). Importantly, these effects remained after controlling for the healthiness of the diet.…”

“…Evidence suggests that lifestyle may be one such factor. Young et al (2017a) reported that smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol negatively influenced HRV, measured using linear (HF power) and nonlinear (sample entropy) measures. In addition, these aspects of the HR time series were increased in those who took regular exercise and consumed a healthy diet.…”

“…In addition, these aspects of the HR time series were increased in those who took regular exercise and consumed a healthy diet. Notably, diet quality at least partially explained the association between mood, disinhibition and HRV ( Young et al , 2017a ); thus, dietary modification may improve HRV in those at risk of psychological disorders.…”

Resting Heart Rate Variability Is Associated With Subsequent Orthostatic Hypotension: Comparison Between Healthy Older People and Patients With Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder

“…iRBD, idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder; OH, orthostatic hypotension; HRV, heart rate variability. alcohol, caffeine, or to smoke the night before the experiment because these substances could affect the autonomic nervous system (40). The experiment was conducted between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to minimize the effect of the circadian rhythm on HRV (41).…”

Depressive Symptoms are Associated with Heart Rate Variability Independently of Fitness: A Cross-Sectional Study of Patients with Heart Failure

“…In patients with MDD, Borrione and colleagues [13] found that decreased HRV was associated with specific depressive symptoms, such as guilt, loss of pleasure in activities, and psychomotor retardation. In a study examining two samples of healthy young adults, the association between depressed mood and low HRV was mediated by habitual dietary patterns and disinhibited eating behaviors, respectively [14]. Additionally, although the association between depression and HRV was once thought to be driven by antidepressant medications [15][16][17], a recent study has demonstrated the association is exhibited without the effect of antidepressant medication [18].…”