> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.foodconsumer.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Sugar, refined grain boost depression risk
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/sugar_refined_gain_boost_depression_risk_0701150453/
- Published: 2015-07-01T17:53:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:06:05.000Z
- Description: Among 87,618 postmenopausal women in the Women's Health Initiative, those eating the most added sugar had 23% higher odds of incident depression, and refined grain intake tracked the same way. Lactose, fiber, whole fruit and vegetables were linked to significantly lower odds.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Food, Nutrition, #vivvo-import

July 1, 2015 (foodconsumer.org) -- A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that high intake of sweetened beverages, refined foods and pastries can increase risk of depression. 

The study led by James E Gangwisch from Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University in New York, NY and colleagues showed that the odds of incident depression was higher in postmenopausal women who had high intake of added sugar (23% higher) than that in those who had low intake.

By contrast, high consumption of lactose, dietary fiber, fruits (not fruit juice), and vegetables was associated with significantly lower odds of incident depression while nonwhole/refined grain intake was correlated with increased odds of depression.

The study was based on data from 87,618 postmenopausal women who were enrolled between 1994 and 1998 in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study. (David Liu)

James E Gangwisch , Lauren Hale, Lorena Garcia, Dolores Malaspina, Mark G Opler, Martha E Payne, Rebecca C Rossom, and Dorothy Lane, High glycemic index diet as a risk factor for depression: analyses from the Women’s Health Initiative, Americna Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2015