Research shows that eating ultra-processed foods can increase the risk of depression. Ultra-processed foods are “energy-dense, palatable, and ready-to-eat items.”
Research was primarily done on non-Hispanic white women ages 42-62 in the Nurses Health Study II.
Women in the study who ate large quantities of ultra-processed foods had high rates of increased BMI, more smoking, and more co-morbid health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol; they also exercised less.
Women who ate the most ultra-processed foods had increased rates of depression. However, “… only artificially sweetened beverages and artificial sweeteners were associated with a greater risk of depression …”
Those women, who started in the highest risk group and reduced their intake of ultra-processed foods by 3 or more servings per day, were able to reduce their risk of depression over a 4 year timeframe.
The researchers noted in their paper that artificial sweeteners can alter a brain function that is thought to be involved with depression.
My suggestion is to avoid food and drinks with artificial sweeteners. Typically, people hope to reduce weight gain by choosing these products. However, research shows they are usually ineffective for that purpose and may actually cause more weight gain.
The research referenced in this blog is from a paper by Samuthpongtorn and colleagues titled “Consumption of Ultra-processed Food and Risk of Depression” published in JAMA Network Open September 20, 2023; 6(9): e2334770.
Peter M. Hartmann, MD
Family Medicine & Psychiatry
