Study Finds Link Between, Ultraprocessed Foods , and Depression .<br />NBC reports that research published on September 20 <br />suggests that consuming large quantities of <br />ultraprocessed foods could be linked to depression.<br />NBC reports that research published on September 20 <br />suggests that consuming large quantities of <br />ultraprocessed foods could be linked to depression.<br />The study looked at the eating habits <br />and mental health status of over <br />31,000 women between the ages of 42 and 62. .<br />The study looked at the eating habits <br />and mental health status of over <br />31,000 women between the ages of 42 and 62. .<br />The findings were published in the <br />journal 'JAMA Open Network.'.<br />According to the research, women who ate <br />nine servings of ultraprocessed food were <br />50% more likely to develop depression. .<br />Ultraprocessed foods include junk food <br />like chips and soda, as well as ready-to-eat <br />meals, yogurts and other packaged foods.<br />Ultraprocessed foods include junk food <br />like chips and soda, as well as ready-to-eat <br />meals, yogurts and other packaged foods.<br />According to the study, foods and drinks <br />with artificial sweeteners were found <br />to have a particularly negative effect.<br />According to the study, foods and drinks <br />with artificial sweeteners were found <br />to have a particularly negative effect.<br />We don’t have a lot of energy <br />when we are feeling depressed, <br />so it’s easy to reach for those foods <br />when we are low energy and don’t <br />have motivation to cook or to <br />grocery shop — just open a package <br />and they are ready to go, Susan Albers, Clinical psychologist <br />at the Cleveland Clinic, via NBC.<br />NBC reports that the study also found that eating <br />whole foods, which are full of nutrients like fiber, <br />vitamins and minerals, is linked to good mental health.<br />There is emerging evidence that <br />ultraprocessed food may actually <br />disrupt the normal gut microbiome. , Dr. Andrew Chan, Study co-author and chief of <br />the clinical and translational epidemiology unit <br />at Massachusetts General Hospital, via NBC.<br />This may be a particularly important notion <br />for people who have depression because <br />it may be a relatively easy way to prevent <br />both depression and longer term problems <br />that could be more difficult to deal with. , Dr. Andrew Chan, Study co-author and chief of <br />the clinical and translational epidemiology unit <br />at Massachusetts General Hospital, via NBC
