Bacteria in your mouth might reveal how depressed you are, scientists say
Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent
Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.
Signs of depression could be found in your mouth
- New York University researchers have found a link between depression and reduced diversity of bacteria in the mouth.
- The study examined data from more than 15,000 adults, comparing depression symptoms with saliva samples to measure oral microbiome diversity.
- Results indicated that individuals with less microbial diversity in their mouths were more likely to exhibit symptoms of depression.
- Factors such as smoking, drinking, dental care, and antidepressant use can influence the relationship between oral microbiome and depression.
- Researchers suggest further studies are needed to understand the direction and mechanisms of this relationship, potentially leading to new treatments for mood disorders.