The connection between junk food and mental health has been discovered. It was brought to light by scientific research conducted at Loma Linda University in California (USA). The results of the American study were published in the specialized journal International Journal Food Sciences and Nutrition (February 2019). A previous version of this study had also already been presented during the 7th International Congress on Vegetarian Nutrition (also held in Loma Linda, on February 26, 2018).
AN UNHEALTHY DIET IS BAD FOR OUR BRAIN
The survey involved of over 245,000 California residents who were given questionnaires on eating habits over a 10-year period, from 2005 to 2015. In particular, researchers focused their attention on the role diet played in relation to mental health. Scholars have found that some mental disorders are related to a poor diet, regardless of age, ethnicity, education, income, marital status, geographic origin, and body mass index. As far as an “unhealthy diet” is concerned, in this study, moderate and severe psychological disturbances were associated with a reduced consumption of fruit and vegetables, versus an increase in the consumption of French fries, fast food, sodas, and teaspoons of sugar on a daily basis.
TOO MUCH SUGAR, FRIED FOOD, AND TOO MANY REFINED GRAINS LEAD TO MENTAL DISORDERS
The data from the survey (known as the “California Health Interview Survey 2005-2015”) found that individuals who consumed the most junk food were more likely to develop symptoms related to moderate or severe psychological disorders compared to participants who followed a healthier diet. Specifically, excessive sugar consumption is associated with bipolar disorder, while consuming foods that are fried or contain high amounts of sugar and processed grains are linked to depression. Data analysis shows that almost 17% of adults who took part in the survey run the risk of suffering from mental disorders, of which 13.2% in a moderate form and 3.7% in a severe form.
Further investigations are needed to confirm that, conversely, a healthy diet contributes to good mental health. A positive goal would be to establish targeted public health interventions, especially at a preventive level, aimed at young adults or individuals with less than 12 years of education.
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