foodconsumer.org: Processed foods linked to high risk of depression

Processed foods linked to high risk of depression
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admin on 11/03/2009 23:59:00
 
A study in the British Journal of Psychiatry suggests that high consumption of
processed foods may increase risk of depression.
The study, led by Archana Singh-Manoux from University College in London, and
colleagues, found people who mostly used a diet full of processed foods were
more likely to suffer depression.
For the study, the researchers analyzed data from 3,486 people at an average age
of 55 years who participated in the Whitehall II Study. The participants were
surveyed for their dietary habits at the start of the study and five years later
for their experience in depression.
Basically the study subjects either used a diet full of whole foods like fruit,
vegetables, and fish or a diet high in processed meat, chocolate, sweetened
desserts, fried foods, refined cereals and high-fat dairy.
The researchers found those who followed the diet with high amounts of processed
foods were more likely than those who used the whole foods diet to experience
depression.
The association remained significant after other potential risks were included
in the analysis.
Singh-Manoux proposed that a couple of mechanisms may be involved. Folate in
vegetables may help alleviate depression symptoms as research has found that a
lack of this nutrient may affect neurological functions.
Omega-3 fatty acids in fish may also have something to do with low risk of
depression because research suggests that high fish intake could reduce
depression incidence.
Another possible explanation is that people who used more whole foods in their
diets may follow a generally more healthy lifestyle, including doing  more
outdoor activities and getting higher exposure to sunshine.
Low levels of vitamin D, produced when the skin is exposed to sunlight, have
been linked to depression risk, according to Dr. John Cannell, a vitamin D
expert and director of the Vitamin D Council.
By David Liu and editing by Sheilah Downey