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Red Meat and Processed Food Show No Postpartum Depression Link

A new cohort study found diet quality during pregnancy didn't predict postpartum depression risk, though mood-related nutrition still matters.

By PJ Howland · November 9, 2026 · 1 source · Watch

Photo: Pexels

At a glance

What they found: 264 pregnant Iranian women tracked from 2022 to 2023 showed no link between red meat or ultra-processed food intake and postpartum depression risk.
Who was studied: 264 pregnant Iranian women followed through 4 to 6 weeks after childbirth, 2022 to 2023.

A study of 264 pregnant women found no connection between how much red meat or ultra-processed food they ate and their risk of postpartum depression, published November 5, 2026 in Scientific Reports.

264women tracked

19.7%had probable PPD

Researchers at Tehran University of Medical Sciences followed 264 pregnant Iranian women enrolled between 2022 and 2023, using a validated food questionnaire to track diet during pregnancy and the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale to screen for symptoms 4 to 6 weeks after birth. Overall, 52 women, or 19.7%, screened positive for probable postpartum depression. After adjusting for other factors, women eating the most red meat (36.51 grams a day or more) versus the least (18.64 grams a day or less) had no higher odds of postpartum depression, and women eating the most ultra-processed food (158.83 grams a day or more) versus the least (67.90 grams a day or less) also showed no meaningful difference in odds.

The study did find that higher ultra-processed food intake tracked with higher total calorie and saturated fat intake, while higher red meat intake tracked with higher protein, saturated fat, zinc, vitamin B12, and the omega-3 fats EPA and DHA. Those nutrient patterns describe what these foods contribute to the diet; they are background information, not evidence tying either food category to mood after birth in this group.

Postpartum mood is shaped by many overlapping factors, including hormone shifts, sleep loss, social support, and overall nutrient status, and this study was not designed to isolate diet from those other contributors.

Postpartum Depression Rate

Scientific Reports, 2026, Mahjourian et al.

The sample was limited to 264 women in one country, and a cohort design like this one shows a link, not proof that diet causes or prevents postpartum depression. Larger studies across different populations are the logical next step to confirm or refine these findings.

Dr. Axe’s Take

This null result doesn't mean diet is irrelevant to postpartum mood, it means red meat and ultra-processed food alone weren't the deciding factor in this group of 264 women. I still think what a new mother eats in the weeks after birth matters for recovery and mood regulation, through steady blood sugar, adequate protein, and omega-3 fats from sources like wild-caught salmon and sardines. My practical take: focus less on policing red meat and more on crowding out ultra-processed food with real meals, consistent protein at each meal, and foods that support steady energy and sleep, since those still shape how a new mother feels day to day.

— Dr. Axe

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Study summary

Who: 264 pregnant Iranian women enrolled 2022-2023; 52 (19.7%) had probable postpartum depression
Design: Prospective cohort study using a validated food frequency questionnaire and binary logistic regression
Dose: Red meat: ≥36.51 vs ≤18.64 g/day; Ultra-processed food: ≥158.83 vs ≤67.90 g/day
Primary result: Red meat: OR 0.74 (95% CI 0.32-1.69), not significant. Ultra-processed food: OR 1.01 (95% CI 0.44-2.31), not significant
Secondary: Higher ultra-processed food intake linked to more total calories and saturated fat; higher red meat intake linked to more protein, zinc, vitamin B12, EPA and DHA
Funding / conflicts: Funded by Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS). The authors declare no competing interests.
Date: Nov 5, 2026