If you needed any more reasons to keep off processed foods (fat content, high fructose corn syrup content, salt content, the fact they're not fresh, price...), a new study shows they may contribute to depression.

3486 people were divided into two groups by researchers from University College, London. Those with the highest intake of fruits, vegetables and fish were less likely to report depression in middle age than those on high fat dairy diets. Even when they took out factors like levels of exercise, smoking and body mass, the distinction remained.

Studies have looked at the positive effects of a Mediterranean-style diet of fresh produce and fish in relation to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. But this is the first time a link has been made between depression and processed foods.

Posted on Wednesday 04th November 2009 in Blog

3 Comments

1. Little Red

   I'm not surprised. All those chemicals that get put into processed foods are bound to have an effect on the body and mind.

2. bobbi

   I'm confused. Is this article cautioning against PROCESSED FOODS (i.e., those 'food' products that live in boxes and cans in the center aisles of the grocery store and which can endure an indefinite shelf life), or "high fat dairy diets," as is referenced in the 2nd paragraph? There's a difference. Whole, fresh dairy products are good for us in reasonable quantities. Processed foods aren't good for us in any quantity. Clarification and better reporting would be nice.

3. julia

   No, The researchers weren't cautioning against a high fat dairy diet, though high fat dairy products should, as you point out, be eaten in moderation. The study found that a diet high in processed foods and high in dairy fats was more likely to cause depression in middle age than a so-called Mediterranean diet based on fresh produce and fish. I should have made it more clear.