Depression linked to processed food

Average rating:

A new study looks at the link between diet and depression, and says that those of us who reach for junk food and afternoon sugar fixes may be doing more than harming our waistline

What was the survey about?

University College London conducted a survey on 3,500 people, splitting them into two groups - those who had a generally healthy diet, big on fruit, veg and fish, and those who ate mainly processed foods, like desserts, fried foods, processed meats and high fat dairy products. After factoring in gender, age, education, exercise, smoking habits and chronic diseases, the study found a significant increase in future depression risk with people who eat processed foods.

Is there really a link between having a bad diet and depression?

Yes, that's what the results prove. Those who ate the most whole foods had a 26% lower risk of future depression than those who ate the least whole foods. By contrast people with a diet high in processed food had a 58% higher risk of depression than those who ate very few processed foods. Dr Andrew McCulloch, chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation, says people's diets are becoming increasingly unhealthy in the UK: 'The UK population is consuming less nutritious, fresh produce and more saturated fats and sugars'.

The benefits of a Mediterranean diet

It's official - we should all be looking to the Med to live longer. Doctors agree that a Mediterranean diet rich in fresh fruit and veg with plenty of olive oil is really good for your health and can help you live longer, as well as cutting the risk of cancer by 12%. But, as study author Dr Archana Singh-Manoux pointed out: 'There was a paper showing a Mediterranean diet was associated with a lower risk of depression but the problem is if you live in Britain, the likelihood of you eating a Mediterranean diet isn't very high'.

We can help you incorporate all the good of a Med diet into your life without spending too much or drastically changing the way you eat, see our Med diet feature. We've also asked you what you think - read Marina Howarth's story: 'I tried the Mediterranean Diet'.

Try some healthy Mediterranean recipes
Cauliflower and Mediterranean vegetable couscous
Mediterranean tart
Mediterranean fish stew

Source: BBC

Where to next?
Find your perfect diet quiz
The brain boosting diet

By Alexandra Mattar

Rate this!