People who consume artificial sweeteners are more likely to suffer from DEPRESSION, study claims

• Study suggests artificial sweeteners may cause depression
• The findings are preliminary and experts suggest more data is needed.
• Read more: I’m a dentist.This is why people shouldn’t quit sweeteners

Research suggests that artificial sweeteners and ultra-processed foods can cause depression.

Researchers from Harvard University and Massachusetts General Brigham Hospital evaluated the diets of more than 30,000 middle-aged white women. Approximately 7,000 people were clinically diagnosed with depression.

Researchers suggested that eating ultra-processed foods such as snacks, sauces, and ready-to-eat foods may be a cause of depression. Additionally, artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, which the World Health Organization (WHO) considers to be a possible carcinogen, were also associated with higher rates.

However, experts warn that there is not enough evidence to directly link food and depression.

The research letter includes Published in JAMA Wednesdaysurveyed more than 31,000 women between the ages of 42 and 62. The researchers asked the participants to complete a questionnaire about their dietary habits every four years. It is unclear how long it was evaluated.

The researchers used two definitions for depression: a strict definition and a broad definition. Severe depression means that the patient was diagnosed with this condition by a doctor and reported using antidepressants on a regular basis. On the other hand, widespread depression means that the patient has a clinical diagnosis or is taking antidepressants.

Of the 31,712 participants, 2,122 had severe depression and 4,820 had widespread depression.

Researchers suggest that ultra-processed foods may increase the likelihood of depression, but it’s unclear why.

However, artificial sweeteners and artificially sweetened beverages have been directly linked to an increased risk of depression because they activate certain compounds in the brain. The researchers did not elaborate on this process.

Dr Duane Mellor, a nutritionist at Aston University in the UK, said: ‘Researchers have speculated that this may be due to compounds reaching the brain, but this study shows no evidence to support this, suggesting that depression It is possible that this choice was made by people who were living with this condition.” Rather than a causal relationship, a sweeter drink. ”

Other researchers said the findings were promising, but further research was needed.

“This study provides insight into the potential role of artificial sweeteners in mental and physical health, but this needs to be confirmed through further research beyond observational data alone.” said Dr. Shalmali Edwin Thanaraja, a neurologist.

This study adds to a growing body of research suggesting that processed foods may cause negative health effects.

2022 study A paper published in the journal Neurology found that a 10% increase in consumption of ultra-processed foods can increase the risk of dementia.

Additionally, large cohorts study French researchers similarly suggested that an increase in ultra-processed foods is linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.

global comparison study A paper published in Obesity Reviews showed that increases in per capita sales of ultra-processed foods and beverages are associated with increases in body mass index (BMI).

And in a pair of studies by researchers, Spain and France found an association between consumption of ultra-processed foods and increased risk of early death.

The researchers said the main limitation was that the study was conducted only with women, most of whom were white, which limited the number of participants.

In addition, people with higher intakes of ultra-processed foods had higher body mass index, higher rates of smoking, and higher rates of diabetes and hypertension. They were also less likely to exercise regularly. This means that these participants may have developed depression due to a number of other factors.