The association between urinary phytoestrogens and depressive symptoms

Present evidence outlining the association between different types of phytoestrogens and depressive symptoms in the general population is limited and contradictory. Data from the 2007–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used to examine their association. Phytoestrogens were measured in urine samples and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Logistic regression and restricted cubic spline models were used to evaluate associations. In one model, lignans and enterolactone were inversely associated with the prevalence of depressive symptoms. Compared with the lowest quartile (Q1), the odds ratios (ORs; 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) for participants in the highest quartile of lignans and enterolactone were 0.44 (0.27–0.72) and 0.42 (0.26–0.67) for depressive symptoms, respectively. Additionally, the dose-response relationships between urinary lignans or enterolactone and depressive symptoms showed a linear trend. Our results suggest that urinary lignans and enterolactone are inversely associated with the prevalence of depressive symptoms.