Increase Your Risk of Depression

A balanced diet can help you feel better, but a diet high in added sugar and processed foods may raise your risk of depression. Consuming a lot of processed foods, especially high-sugar foods like cakes and sugary drinks, has been linked to an increased risk of depression.

Sugar's negative impact on mental health is thought to be caused by blood sugar fluctuations, neurotransmitter dysregulation, and inflammation, according to researchers. Men who consumed 67 grams or more of sugar per day were 23% more likely to develop depression than men who consumed less than 40 grams per day, according to a 22-year study of 8,000 people. Another research of almost 69,000 women found that those who consumed the most added sugars had a considerably higher risk of depression than those who consumed the least.