Overconsumption of ultra-processed foods linked to mental health disorders

We already known ultra-processed foods can increase the risk of obesity, diabetes and cancer, but new research published in the journal Nutritional Neuroscience shows it can also impact our mental health. The research team, led by Tasnime Akbaraly from the Center for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health in Paris, used data from the Whitehall II cohort which includes information from British civil servants between 35 and 55, recruited between 1985 and 1988. A total of 4554 participants were included in the study, of whom 74% were men. The participants' depressive symptoms and their consumption of antidepressants were assessed four times during follow-ups between 2002 and 2016. Read: When ‘cute’ is actually harmful: Time to end the in-store tricks that hurt our kids’ health In addition to the amount of ultra-processed foods they had consumed between 1991 and 2004, the group was assessed using self-administered food questionnaires, according to the NOVA classification, which offered four levels of food processing. Participants were divided into five separate groups of equal size, based on the proportion of ultra-processed foods consumed in their total daily diet. The researchers then studied the recurrence of depressive symptoms in each of the groups. When following up the cohort, researchers noted that participants with the highest consumption of ultra-processed foods had the greatest risk of having a recurrence of depressive symptoms. Read: Not all sugars created equal: Maple syrup may reduce cardiometabolic risk Participants for whom a third of total daily food consumption consisted of ultra-processed foods had a 30% increased risk of having episodes of recurrent depressive symptoms compared to participants who consumed less than a fifth of ultra-processed foods or processed foods daily. Akbary specified that this association was independent of sociodemographic factors, lifestyle habits or the overall health of individuals. According to the researchers, more studies should focus specifically on the effect of different food processing methods, additives, emulsifiers and preservatives and even packaging on mental health. This article has been translated from its original French and first appeared on our sister site Profession Santé.

Overconsumption of ultra-processed foods linked to mental health disorders

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