Bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis identifies causal associations between relative carbohydrate intake and depression

Growing evidence suggests that relative carbohydrate intake affects depression; however, the association between carbohydrates and depression remains controversial. To test this, we performed a two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using genetic variants associated with relative carbohydrate intake (N = 268,922) and major depressive disorder (N = 143,265) from the largest available genome-wide association studies. MR evidence suggested a causal relationship between higher relative carbohydrate intake and lower depression risk (odds ratio, 0.42 for depression per one-standard-deviation increment in relative carbohydrate intake; 95% confidence interval, 0.28 to 0.62; P = 1.49 × 10−5). Multivariable MR indicated that the protective effect of relative carbohydrate intake on depression persisted after conditioning on other diet compositions. The mediation analysis via two-step MR showed that this effect was partly mediated by body mass index, with a mediated proportion of 15.4% (95% confidence interval, 6.7% to 24.1%). These findings may inform prevention strategies and interventions directed towards relative carbohydrate intake and depression.