Comsuming processed foods linked to depression

Fresh Veggies  (MS Clipart)

The link between processed foods and depression has been officially recognized. Eating processed foods filled with chemicals, refined grains and sugars, and processed meats can lead to depression and having the blues according to information released from a study in London.

Previous studies were based on looking at the effects of individual nutrients. This study concentrated on whole nutrients based upon eating whole foods. The study segregated people into two groups. One group ate healthy whole foods with plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits, and fish while the other group consumed heavily processed and fried foods which overall contain far less nutrients and large amounts of sodium.

The study was conducted over a five year period and the results were based on the participants self entered data using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies – Depression (CES–D) scale. The participants who consumed the diet of fresh whole foods had lower occurrences of depression while those that consumed the processed foods had higher occurrences of depression.  

The conclusions from the abstract in the British Journal of Psychiatry:
‘In middle-aged participants, a processed food dietary pattern is a risk factor for CES–D depression 5 years later, whereas a whole food pattern is protective.‘ 

Eating whole food gives your body whole nutrients and improves memory, mood, and overall health. The further the food is from its natural state, the fewer nutrients it contains. Refined sugar causes imflammation throughout the body and is the major cause of diabetes, heart disease and obesity. 

This time of year adding seasonal fresh whole foods, including beans, unprocessed whole grains, root vegetables, and locally raised pasture fed meats to the diet while limiting sugar and refined grains, can improve your immune system and help with those wintertime blues.  

To view the original abstract and the press release