Does an unhealthy diet increase your risk of depression? A new study found a link

Most experts agree that there is no definitive cause for depression, but a new study suggests that a diet highly dependent on foods less healthy could increase your risk of developing it. As the guardian reports, a study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry concludes that a diet high in fat, sugar and processed foods can have a direct impact on your susceptibility to mental illness. So let's take a closer look at research: does junk food increase your risk of depression and how?

British, French, Australian and Spanish researchers have analyzed the results of 41 previous studies on diet and depression and concluded that a "pro-inflammatory diet" – which includes foods high in fat, in sugar and transformed – directly raises risk of developing depression. "A pro-inflammatory diet can induce systemic inflammation," said Dr. Camille Lassale, senior author of the study at the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at University College London (UCL) . She said to the guardian"Chronic inflammation can affect mental health by carrying pro-inflammatory molecules in the brain, and it can also affect the molecules – the neurotransmitters – responsible for regulating mood."

In contrast, according to the study, "following a healthy diet, especially a traditional Mediterranean diet or avoiding a pro-inflammatory diet seems to provide some protection against depression." A Mediterranean diet is a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fish and nuts, according to the Guardian.

Dr. Tasnime Akbaraly, co-author of the study also based at UCL, said: "The results of our study support routine dietary counseling as part of a doctor's visit, especially with practitioners of mental health. And Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, President of the Royal College of General Practitioners, accepted guardian that "study" adds to the growing body of research that shows that what we eat can have an impact on our mental health. "

Professor Naveed Sattar, who studies metabolic medicine at the University of Glasgow, is however dissident. "Current evidence is not enough to prove that plant-rich diets can prevent depression, because most of the evidence shows that people with mental health problems are getting worse," he adds. a plausible mechanism for explaining a connection between diet and mental health is very tenuous. "

More than 300 million people worldwide suffer from depression, according to the World Health Organization, while Mind, a charity specializing in mental health, estimates that 3.3 out of 100 people suffer from depression in England. According to the charity, many factors can influence the onset of mental illness, including life events, genetic makeup and lifestyle. "Some find that they become depressed without any obvious reason," says the charity.

But the UCL study is not the first to suggest a link between diet and depression. A 2017 analysis in Research in psychiatry, concluded by researchers at Linyi People's Hospital in Shandong, China, concluded: "A diet characterized by high consumption of red and / or processed meat, refined grains, sweets, rich dairy products fat, butter, fat and low consumption of fruits and vegetables are associated with an increased risk of depression. "The diet associated with decreased risk of depression? One with "high intakes in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, olive oil, low fat dairy and antioxidants and low intake of animal foods".

And a study study conducted in 2018 by researchers from the Netherlands and Spain, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders"There is evidence that a better diet is associated with a lower risk of onset of depressive symptoms," but noted that "all available results do not agree with the". hypothesis that the diet influences the risk of depression ".

When analyzing studies like these, it is important to keep in mind that diet is not always a choice: income and class are major factors that influence the foods that people have access to In 2017, a Food Standards Agency survey found that "one in four low-income households struggle to eat regularly or healthily because of lack of money." guardian reports.

A study released earlier this month indicates that a significant number of UK households can not afford to achieve the nutritional goals of the Eatwell government. "In the UK, almost 4 million children live in households that would have trouble buying enough fruits, vegetables, fish and other healthy foods to meet the official nutrition guidelines." guardian said.

It is therefore essential to consider that regardless of the health benefits of some plans, a significant proportion of the population simply can not access them. If the diet actually influences depression, as more and more research suggests, government and health professionals must not only recommend eating particular foods, but ensure that everyone has access to them.