People Who Eat Lots Of Fast Food Also More Likely To Be Depressed

Frequent eaters of fast food and/or commercial baked goods (like doughnuts, cakes or croissants) are twice as likely to develop depression as “minimal or non-consumers” of these products, according to a new study from Spanish scientists exploring food and mood links. People who consumed a lot of fast food and baked goods were part of a group that was also more likely to suffer from depression, work more than 45 hours per week, smoke, be single, be less active and have poor dietary habits in general.

Obviously, there are a lot things in that lifestyle equation that could contribute to depression; it’s a little rash to say (as some headlines have) that fast food causes depression.

“Let’s be real and keep it in context here,” said Keith Ayoob, a registered dietitian and associate professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. “This is reflective of a lifestyle with many unhealthy aspects.

“It does not mean that if you go eat a hamburger you are going to become depressed,” Ayoob said. “I think this represents a reflection of depression, not the cause.”

But poor nutrition can affect your mental health. When times are stressful—or you’re working a lot, or already feeling down—it’s often hardest to eat right. But depriving our bodies of essential vitamins and nutrients—particularly things like B vitamins and fish oil—at these times only makes things worse.

Vitamins and supplements are a good backup policy. But it may not be just the lack of nutrients in a heavily processed diet that affects your mood or mental health: Previous studies have linked trans fat consumption with depression and brain shrinkage.

Read more: http://www.blisstree.com/2012/04/02/eat/fast-food-depression-link-844/#ixzz2DXYTfeP6