• Sarah Garner, Evan Davies, Emma Barkus, and Ann-Katrin Kraeuter.
• Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
• Nutrition. 2024 Aug 1; 124: 112420112420.

ObjectivesA ketogenic diet reduces pathologic stress and improves mood in neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders. However, the effects of a ketogenic diet for people from the general population have largely been unexplored. A ketogenic diet is increasingly used for weight loss. Research in healthy individuals primarily focuses on the physical implications of a ketogenic diet. It is important to understand the holistic effects of a ketogenic diet, not only the physiological but also the psychological effects, in non-clinical samples. The aim of this cross-sectional study with multiple cohorts was to investigate the association of a ketogenic diet with different aspects of mental health, including calmness, contentedness, alertness, cognitive and emotional stress, depression, anxiety, and loneliness, in a general healthy population.MethodsTwo online surveys were distributed: cohort 1 used Bond-Lader visual analog scales and Perceived Stress Scale (n = 147) and cohort 2 the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale and revised UCLA Loneliness Scale (n = 276).ResultsA ketogenic diet was associated with higher self-reported mental and emotional well-being behaviors, including calmness, contentedness, alertness, cognitive and emotional stress, depression, anxiety, and loneliness, compared with individuals on a non-specific diet in a general population.ConclusionThis research found that a ketogenic diet has potential psychological benefits in the general population.Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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