Depression is a debilitating disorder estimated to become the second cause of morbidity worldwide by the year 2020. Research has revealed eating junk food has a negative effect on mental health, making those who consume it regularly feel depressed.
What the research suggests…
A study showed people who often ate hamburgers, hot dogs and pizza are 51% more likely to develop depression than those who rarely or never ate them. The study, involving nearly 9,000 participants who had never before being diagnosed with depression, has now been published in the Journal of Public Health Nutrition (Sanchez-Villegas et al, 2012).
The lead researcher, Dr Almudena Sanchez-Villegas, said “even eating small quantities is linked to a significantly higher chance of developing depression.”
In another study involving over 3000 middle-aged office workers found that over a 5 year period, people who ate a junk food diet (high in processed meat, chocolates, sweet desserts, fried food, refined cereals and high-fat dairy products) were more likely to report symptoms of depression (Akbaraly et al, 2009).
Diets high in refined starches, sugar, and trans-fatty acids, poor in natural antioxidants and fiber from fruits, vegetables, and poor in omega-3 fatty acids result in an activation of the inflammatory pathways. Inflammatory diets fuel depressive symptoms.
Good nutrition and real food is also CRITICAL for neurotransmitter production. How can we expect our bodies to actually MAKE serotonin without the co-factors it physically needs? Then there is the issue of emotional eating, adding fuel to the neural fire. This is for another blog!
Before prescribing anti-depressants (which actually show limited efficacy in many trials), it’s crucial for health professionals to address a person’s diet, and recommend regular exercise – a powerful combination for both anxiety and depression. Now, this may not come as a surprise too many of you reading this…but it’s amazing how often a person’s diet (or activity level) doesn’t even get a LOOK in!
Be empowered people, take responsibility for your health and recognize the importance of FOOD in relation to MOOD.
Until next time, Stacey.
*References available on request.
