Following a healthy lifestyle and eating a balanced diet can help to prevent the onset of depression, experts have said.

Recent research by Cancer Research UK has revealed that nearly two thirds of people in the UK do not eat enough fruit and vegetables.

According to mental health charity Changes, diet is not 'the be all and end all' in terms of depression, but it does play a significant role.

Area manager Mark Lowndes commented: 'Having the right balance, in terms of nutrition, can help keep you in top form and stop you getting into depression.
 

'People suffering with depression do need to look at these factors. Our organization is about taking a holistic view, so we look at lifestyle as part of that.'

Mr Lowndes conceded that eating healthy food or taking vitamin supplements will not cure depression, a condition that has many different manifestations but is generally characterized by ongoing negative feelings that impact upon a person's life.

'It is a long process, but I believe [diet and nutrition] can have an effect on it,' the expert added.