Junk food diet can lead to depression
Filed under: Health, November 2009
There's yet another blow to junk food lovers today, as doctors warn that a high-fat diet could be getting you down. In fact, a diet rich in processed food, sweets and desserts could be making you depressed. Researchers at University College London found that those who regularly indulge in junk food are almost 60 per cent more likely to suffer from depression than those tucking into fresh fruit, veg and fish.
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The study involved data on 3,486 male and female civil servants aged around 55. Each volunteer completed a questionnaire on their eating habits followed by a self-assessment report for depression five years down the line. Those with the highest consumption of processed food were found to be 58 per cent more likely to be feeling the blues.
Scientists believe that it is the high levels of antioxidants in a healthy diet of fruit and vegetables that protect against mental anguish, while the high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids founds in fish may also help to ward off depression. It could be, however, that the 'whole food' diet, containing many nutrients from a number of different foods is the key.
But Dr Brunner warned that the reverse can also be true, with poor eating essentially a strain on the body. He said: "If your diet is high in foods that make blood sugar levels go up and down like a yo-yo, then it's not good for your blood vessels and is bound to have an effect on the brain."
As hard as it is to resist the temptation of a quarter pounder with fries, the evidence against our junk food comforts just keeps on mounting up.
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The study involved data on 3,486 male and female civil servants aged around 55. Each volunteer completed a questionnaire on their eating habits followed by a self-assessment report for depression five years down the line. Those with the highest consumption of processed food were found to be 58 per cent more likely to be feeling the blues.
Scientists believe that it is the high levels of antioxidants in a healthy diet of fruit and vegetables that protect against mental anguish, while the high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids founds in fish may also help to ward off depression. It could be, however, that the 'whole food' diet, containing many nutrients from a number of different foods is the key.
But Dr Brunner warned that the reverse can also be true, with poor eating essentially a strain on the body. He said: "If your diet is high in foods that make blood sugar levels go up and down like a yo-yo, then it's not good for your blood vessels and is bound to have an effect on the brain."
As hard as it is to resist the temptation of a quarter pounder with fries, the evidence against our junk food comforts just keeps on mounting up.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
sarah said 4:38AM on 11-22-2009
if i dont have a simple diet of breakfast, fruit with lunch, water and vegetables most daysi find myself bindging on chocolate and biscuits sometimes, i think as comfort food. this just makes me get bad skin with spots and feeling very tired and demotivated. i fully agree with this article, depression is linked with what you eat and how you look after your body. of course there are different degrees to how depressed a person is and there are always going to be other reasons for depression, however, taking care of your self is a huge factor.
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