Is Your Diet Causing You To Be Depressed?
Written by Tena Moore
The question remains: are we depressed because of poor eating habits, or are we eating poorly due to our depression? Researchers of a recent study seem to think that the answer is ‘we are depressed because of our poor eating habits’.
The study was held by researchers at the University of College London, and was reported by the British Journal of Psychiatry. The study found that those who eat very little fresh fruits and vegetables, and a high amount of processed and refined foods are more likely to be at risk for depression. They also found that those who do not eat a lot of fried an processed foods, but instead choose whole foods such as vegetables and fruit are less likely to be at risk for depression.
The study had over 3,000 participants who were divided into two groups: those eating primarily a whole food diet with lots of vegetables, fish and fruits, and those primarily eating a processed foods diet that is high in fat, sugar, and refined grains. The study was over a five year period and did factor in habits such as physical activity and smoking, as well as age, gender, chronic disease and even education. In the end, the whole foods group had 26 percent less risk for depression than the processed foods group. Those in the processed group had a 58 percent higher risk than those who rarely ate processed foods.
This study is just one of many that have shown there is a link between what we eat and our mental health, just as there is a link between our diet and our physical health. Unfortunately, not everyone has the ability to eat fresh produce and fish, though it is quite easy for most people to access and afford processed, unhealthy food from fast food restaurants.
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Labels: depression, dieting
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