Junk Food, Depression Linked in New Study
It seems like a new link discovered between junk food and depression may be one of those chicken/egg issues when it comes to mental health- are you depressed because you eat a lot of junk food, or are you eating a lot of junk food because you are depressed?
A study recently published in the medical journal Public Health Nutrition examined rates of depression and how they related to consumption of commercial products commonly classed as “junk food,” items with high sugar and fat contents and little nutritional value such as doughnuts, burgers, pizza, hot dogs and even croissants.
9,000 people were included in the study out of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the University of Granada, and researchers determined that people in the study who consumed the most junk food had a 51% higher risk of depression. Higher consumption of junk food was also linked with other unhealthy behaviors such as a sedentary lifestyle and inclination toward smoking.
Almudena Sánchez-Villegas was one of the researchers collaborating on the study, and she commented:
“Although more studies are necessary, the intake of this type of food should be controlled because of its implications on both health (obesity, cardiovascular diseases) and mental well-being.”
Previous recent studies, including one out of the Mayo Clinic, have linked poor eating habits with depression and aggression.
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About the Author
Kim LaCapria Kim LaCapria is a writer and editor based in New York. A longtime information junkie, she began blogging full-time at the Inquisitr in 2009. Prior to that, she worked as a marketing assistant in the cosmetics and skincare industry. In addition to her writing for fortytwotimes, she also writes for Medacity and The Inquisitr. Kim is also a contributor for SocialNewsDaily, Indyposted, and TotallyMoney. In the past, she contributed to Lipstick and Luxury and managed social media accounts and blogs for several small and mid-sized businesses.
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