Psychology

How Highly Processed Food May Be Fueling Your Depression

By Divya Toshniwal

While it's important to note that depression is a complex mental health condition with multiple contributing factors, including genetics, environmental influences, and psychological factors, the role of diet, particularly the consumption of highly processed foods, has gained attention.

Highly processed food have very low nutritional value. Deficiency of vitamins , minerals and antioxidants can be deteriorating for the brain health.

Processed food also have high content of sugars and fats which can result in inflammation in the body, contributing to causes of depression

A diet rich in processed foods can negatively impact the gut microbiome, potentially leading to a dysbiosis (imbalance) in gut bacteria. This dysbiosis may influence brain function and mood regulation.

A diet high in processed foods, which are often calorie-dense but nutrient-poor, can contribute to overeating and weight gain. Weight gain and obesity have been linked to an increased risk of depression.

Highly processed foods are created to leave to wanting more. They are so palatable that you just cannot stop eating and hence you end up overeating everything. These unhealthy eating habits are also linked to depression in various studies.