These 3 Elements May Lower Your Depression Risk Significantly

A large portion of our population has been suffering with depression and the numbers keep increasing, according to the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry by 2050, 46 million US adults aged 18 years or older will be diagnosed with depressive disorder. According to World Health Organization (WHO), about 5% of people globally are affected by depression. The Journal of Psychiatric Research explains that the number of people with depression has seen an 49.86% increase since 1990 to 2017.

Depression affects many different aspects of a person’s life. Whether it is their daily activities, their lifestyle or livelihood etc.

Scientists are now learning that how we live our lives, like what we eat and how much we move, can make a big difference in whether we get depression. They're finding out which parts of our lifestyle are most important and how they work. Recent studies have shown that mundane things like what we eat, our activity levels and even the medicine we consume for other health issues have an influence over depression. These studies are important because they show how depression or any other mental health problem does not make you different. These studies help researchers come up with better solutions for people who are going through difficult phases in their lives. Here are some of the studies that explain how these things affect the risk of developing depression.

Ozempic and Lower Depression Risk

People with diabetes often also struggle with depression. A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine 2025 compared different diabetes medicines and found that Ozempic might help lower the risk of depression. This weekly injection that works to lower blood sugar by aiding the pancreas in releasing more insulin. When people with diabetes took Ozempic, they were less likely to also have depression compared to people taking other diabetes pills.

Doctors think this might be because Ozempic helps control appetite and weight. When people feel healthier physically, they often feel better mentally too. Losing weight and having better blood sugar can improve someone’s overall feeling of wellbeing which can positively affect mood. It’s like a chain reaction, where one good thing leads to another.

Oranges and Reduced Depression Risk

What we eat has a big impact on how we feel. Eating an orange every day might actually help protect against depression. A study published in the journal Microbiome 2025 found that people who ate oranges regularly were less likely to feel depressed. This could be because oranges help healthy bacteria grow in our gut. These good bacteria help our brains work better. When our gut is happy, our brain is often happier too. It seems that oranges, more than other fruits, have this special power. It’s like oranges have a secret ingredient that helps keep our mood bright.

Exercise and Lower Risk of Brain Conditions

Moving our bodies is very important for keeping our minds healthy. Even simple exercise, like walking, can make a big difference. A study that is to be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 77th Annual Meeting in April 2025, found that people who exercise regularly are less likely to get depression and other brain problems. Even if it is just a little bit of exercise, it is better than none.

It is like exercise is a shield that protects our brains. Sitting still too much is bad for our brains. Doctors say we should try to move more every day, even if it’s just a little bit at a time. This is especially important for people who work at desks or who have health problems. Simple things like standing up and walking around periodically during the day can make a big difference.