Consumption of high quantities of ultra-processed foods – such as sugary drinks, chips or even sweets – could be linked to depression, according to a study published Wednesday.
These foods are known to be rich in salt, sugar, hydrogenated fats, but especially in additives.
Thus, researchers looked at the link between their consumption and the risk of depression by studying the cases of 31,000 women aged 42 to 62, revealed the study published in the journal “JAMA Open Network”.
Women who ate these foods most often – up to nine servings per day – were 50% more likely to suffer from depression than those who ate four servings daily.
To find out more, the researchers began the study before the participants showed symptoms of depression. However, it remains difficult to determine whether it is the diet or the depression that comes first.
“We don’t have a lot of energy when we’re feeling down,” Susan Albers, a clinical psychologist at the Cleveland Clinic, told NBC News. “So it’s easy to turn to these foods when we’re low on energy and don’t feel like cooking or shopping – just open a packet and they’re ready to eat.”
According to study co-author Dr. Andrew Chan, people who eat a large amount of these foods often have a more pro-inflammatory gut, which can cause the release of molecules that influence depression risk.
Another possible explanation would be the presence of artificial sweeteners that can disrupt the delivered amount of a chemical that binds to other molecules like serotonin and dopamine.
“This notion could be particularly important for people with depression, as it could be a relatively easy way to prevent both depression and longer-term problems that might be more difficult to treat,” she said. said Dr Chan.