6 foods that cause depression

Depression is the disease of the 20th century that affects more than 350 million people worldwide, and it is estimated that by 2020, it will be the second leading cause of disability, only after cardiovascular diseases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This condition manifests as a change in mood, sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt, low self-esteem, fatigue, lack of concentration, as well as sleep or appetite disorders. Depression can affect work performance, school, as well as family and social relationships. When it is mild, it can be treated without medication, but when it is considered moderate or severe, professional therapy and medication are needed. Since economic, social pressures, or stress are factors that favor the development of this disorder, it is possible to prevent it in various ways, through exercise, engaging in activities you enjoy, having a fulfilling job, as well as friends and a healthy diet. Since diet influences how you feel, Salud180 presents a list of 7 foods that make you feel depressed. Avoid them because they make you sick There are scientific studies that claim these foods provoke addictive responses in the brain, similar to what happens when consuming drugs and tobacco, due to the presence of flavorings, preservatives, and additives with harmful effects on health. Artificial sweeteners. Specialists in the United States have determined that all artificial sweeteners depress the nervous system. Additionally, Rachel Fiske, a certified nutrition consultant in San Francisco, states that aspartame (sweetener) inhibits the production of serotonin and dopamine, which could be a cause of depression and anxiety attacks. Processed foods. Researchers from Great Britain published in the British Journal of Psychiatry that this type of food increases the risk of developing depression, as they contain harmful chemicals that promote the onset of cardiovascular diseases and inflammation. These include meats, cold cuts, chocolate, and sugary desserts. Fried food. Stephanie Fulton from the Montreal University Hospital states that foods high in saturated fat contribute to the development of depressive behaviors due to the chemical reactions that occur in the brain. The University of Navarra confirms that this type of food fosters this disorder, as excessive consumption increases the production of certain molecules like cytokines, which can reduce the production of serotonin, responsible for generating a state of well-being. Refined cereals. The consumption of these foods, as well as refined flours, increases the chances of suffering from depression, according to a study conducted by the University of London. High-fat dairy products. The universities of Navarra and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, have linked the consumption of trans and saturated fats to the development of depression, which are found in dairy products. Sodas. A study from the National Institute of Health claims that consuming more than a liter of these drinks per day causes depression, and if they are diet and flavored, the chances increase. Alcohol. Its abuse over a prolonged period triggers depression, as it interferes with receptors in the nervous system, although the mechanisms associated with this reaction have not yet been determined, confirms a study published in the journal Archives of General Psychiatry.