It may make the stomach turn, but scientists in Norway suggest that taking a spoonful of cod liver oil each day could stave off depression, reports BBC.
In a study of almost 22,000 people aged over 40, those who regularly took the oil were less likely to suffer depression than those who did not.
The study in the Journal of Affective Disorders also suggested the longer one took it, the less depressed one became.
The oil is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids which are linked to various benefits.
Children's brains are said to be boosted by Omega-3s, which have also been claimed to reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack and cancer, although some studies have cast doubt on this.
Other factors In this latest claim, scientists said a spoonful of cod liver oil could reduce the risk of depression by as much as 30 per cent.
Depressive symptoms among cod liver oil users was 2.5 per cent, compared to 3.8 per cent in the rest of the population.
The researchers looked at 21,835 people aged between 40-49 and 70-74 across Norway between 1997 and 1999.
When compiling their report, they said they also took into account other factors which could impact upon depression, including age, gender, whether one smoked, drank coffee or alcohol, as well as levels of education and physical activity.
In the UK, there is mounting concern that too many people are being given prescription drugs such as Prozac after being diagnosed with depression.
Cod liver oil 'treats depression'
FE Team | Published: June 14, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
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