By daniel Edu
Eating ultraprocessed foods, such as chips, candies, and sugar-filled breakfast cereals, could increase the risk of depression, according to a study published in JAMA Open Network. Here’s what you should know:
– **Study Details**: The study analyzed the dietary choices and mental health of over 31,000 women aged 42 to 62 from the Nurses’ Health Study II, conducted between 2003 and 2017.
– **Ultraprocessed Foods (UPFs)**: UPFs include foods with many additives, preservatives, artificial colors, and flavors. Examples are chips, frozen TV dinners, sugary cereals, and packaged soups.
– **Depression Risk**: Researchers found that people who consumed higher amounts of UPFs, particularly artificial sweeteners and artificially sweetened beverages, had a 34% to 49% increased risk of depression.
– **Possible Mechanism**: The study suggests that artificial sweeteners may trigger chemical changes in the brain linked to depression.
– **Limitations**: The study primarily included non-Hispanic White females, and it was observational. It couldn’t establish whether UPFs directly caused depression or if depressed individuals turned to UPFs for comfort or convenience.
– **Expert Advice**: Experts recommend small dietary changes, such as swapping processed snacks for fruits or nuts, reducing artificial sweetener intake, and striving for a balanced diet rich in fruits, veggies, nuts, whole grains, and lean proteins.
Remember, while diet can play a role in mental health, it’s just one piece of the puzzle, and overall lifestyle factors are important.
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