Study Finds Link Between Ultraprocessed Foods and Depression

Study Finds Link Between Ultraprocessed Foods and Depression

Study Finds Link Between, Ultraprocessed Foods , and Depression .

NBC reports that research published on September 20 suggests that consuming large quantities of ultraprocessed foods could be linked to depression.

NBC reports that research published on September 20 suggests that consuming large quantities of ultraprocessed foods could be linked to depression.

The study looked at the eating habits and mental health status of over 31,000 women between the ages of 42 and 62.

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The study looked at the eating habits and mental health status of over 31,000 women between the ages of 42 and 62.

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The findings were published in the journal 'JAMA Open Network.'.

According to the research, women who ate nine servings of ultraprocessed food were 50% more likely to develop depression.

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Ultraprocessed foods include junk food like chips and soda, as well as ready-to-eat meals, yogurts and other packaged foods.

Ultraprocessed foods include junk food like chips and soda, as well as ready-to-eat meals, yogurts and other packaged foods.

According to the study, foods and drinks with artificial sweeteners were found to have a particularly negative effect.

According to the study, foods and drinks with artificial sweeteners were found to have a particularly negative effect.

We don’t have a lot of energy when we are feeling depressed, so it’s easy to reach for those foods when we are low energy and don’t have motivation to cook or to grocery shop — just open a package and they are ready to go, Susan Albers, Clinical psychologist at the Cleveland Clinic, via NBC.

NBC reports that the study also found that eating whole foods, which are full of nutrients like fiber, vitamins and minerals, is linked to good mental health.

There is emerging evidence that ultraprocessed food may actually disrupt the normal gut microbiome.

, Dr. Andrew Chan, Study co-author and chief of the clinical and translational epidemiology unit at Massachusetts General Hospital, via NBC.

This may be a particularly important notion for people who have depression because it may be a relatively easy way to prevent both depression and longer term problems that could be more difficult to deal with.

, Dr. Andrew Chan, Study co-author and chief of the clinical and translational epidemiology unit at Massachusetts General Hospital, via NBC