How does eating pizza make you feel? According to the latest research, people who consume junk food regularly are 51 percent more likely to become depressed than those who eat clean. Fast food and baked goods have been linked to a higher risk of depression, fatigue, and mood changes. Postmenopausal women are particularly susceptible to this problem.
Can Fast Food Give You the Blues?
A study conducted on 70,000 postmenopausal women has found that those who consumed added sugars and refined grains were more likely to become depressed. These foods increase blood sugar, causing fluctuations in insulin levels. Over time, this may lead to weight gain, hormonal imbalances, and mental disorders.
Cakes, cookies, hot dogs, pizza, and other products labeled as “junk food” have little or no nutritional value. Basically, they contain empty calories. Regular consumption of fast food and baked goods may cause nutritional deficiencies. Certain vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, essential fatty acids, and magnesium, regulate your mood and prevent depression. A diet that lacks these nutrients can lead to mental and behavioral problems.
Research also indicates that the more junk food people eat, the higher their risk of depression. Processed pastries increase depression risk by over 38 percent. Eating fast food regularly raises depression risk by 36 percent. Due to their high sugar content, these products cause inflammation in the body, which may affect mental health.
Rethink Your Comfort Foods
What you eat has a direct impact on your mood and behavior. Junk food and refined grains can give you the blues. Salmon, tuna, avocado, eggs, fresh vegetables, broccoli, and shellfish will lift your mood and ward off depression. These foods are packed with vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid, protein, and other nutrients that help maintain a healthy mood. Rich in essential fats, they also lower inflammation and reduce the risk of depression.
As you see, the side effects of junk food go beyond heart disease and weight gain. Although a slice of pizza won’t kill you, try to limit fast food in your diet. Eat whole, natural foods and seek healthier substitutes for your favorite treats.
