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In the News, Winter 2023-24: Ultra-Processed Foods May Increase Depression Risk
A recent paper published in JAMA Network Open examined the link between consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) and risk of depression. The prospective cohort study found that participants who ingested the most UPFs had the greatest risk of incident depression, with artificially sweetened beverages and artificial sweeteners seen to be most strongly associated with increased risk.
The researchers analyzed validated food frequency questionnaires of 31,712 middle-aged, non-Hispanic White women, enrolled in the Nurses Health Study II, from the years 2003 through 2017. The quintile of women consuming the greatest amounts of UTFs – including ultra-processed grain and dairy products, sweet and savory snacks, ready-to-eat meals, condiments, processed meats, sweetened beverages, and artificial sweeteners – had an almost 50% greater risk than the quintile with the lowest consumption.
These findings add to the body of evidence linking UTFs with various health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, obesity, and other metabolic disorders. In the United States, UTFs make up about 60% of the typical diet for adults and 70% of children’s diets.
Sources:
New study finds possible link between ultra-processed foods and depression. Environmental Working Group, September 22, 2023. ewg.org/news-insights/news/2023/09/new-study-finds-possible-link-between-ultra-processed-foods-and.
Samuthpongtorn C, Nguyen LH, Okereke OI, et al. Consumption of ultraprocessed food and risk of depression. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(9):e2334770. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.34770.
Published in the Journal of Health and Healing™
Winter 2023-24 | Volume 47, Number 4
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