Artificial sweeteners contribute to depression.

Research indicates that artificial sweeteners and ultra-processed foods may contribute to depression. Researchers from Harvard University and a Massachusetts hospital evaluated the diets of over 30,000 middle-aged women, about 7,000 of whom were clinically diagnosed with depression.

Ultra-Processed Foods May Contribute to Depression

The researchers suggested that the consumption of ultra-processed foods, such as snacks, sauces, and ready-to-eat meals, could be a factor in depression. Additionally, artificial sweeteners like aspartame, which the WHO has classified as a possible carcinogen, were linked to higher rates of depression.

However, experts caution that there is insufficient evidence to establish a direct link between food and depression. The study examined over 31,000 women aged 42 to 62. Participants were asked to fill out questionnaires about their eating habits every four years, though the duration of the assessment remains unclear.

The researchers used two definitions of depression: strict and broad. Strict depression meant that patients reported being diagnosed by a doctor and were regularly taking antidepressants. In contrast, broad depression indicated that patients had a clinical diagnosis and/or were taking antidepressants. Out of 31,712 participants, 2,122 had strict depression, while 4,820 had broad depression.

Possible Link Between Ultra-Processed Food and Depression

The researchers hypothesized that ultra-processed food could lead to a higher likelihood of depression, although they are uncertain about the exact reasons. However, artificial sweeteners and artificially sweetened beverages were directly associated with an increased risk of depression due to the activation of certain compounds in the brain. The researchers did not delve into the details of this process.

As Dr. Dwayne Mellor, a dietitian at Aston University in the UK, noted to the Daily Mail, his team speculates that this may be related to how these compounds reach the brain. However, this study does not provide evidence to support this claim. It is also possible that individuals living with depression may have chosen sweeter beverages, rather than establishing a causal relationship.

Other researchers stated that while the findings are promising, further studies are needed. According to neurologist Dr. Sharmali Edwin Tanaraja from Germany, this research offers insights into the potential role of artificial sweeteners in mental and physical health. However, he believes that this needs to be confirmed through further research beyond mere observational data.

Ultra-Processed Food Harms Health

These preliminary findings add to a growing body of research suggesting that processed foods can have negative health consequences. For instance, a 2022 study found that a 10% increase in the consumption of ultra-processed foods could elevate the risk of dementia.

Additionally, a large cohort study in France showed that the same increase in the consumption of ultra-processed foods led to a higher risk of breast cancer. A global comparative study indicated that rising per capita sales of ultra-processed foods and beverages were associated with higher body mass index (BMI). A couple of studies from researchers in Spain and France found a link between the consumption of ultra-processed foods and an increased risk of early death.

The researchers noted that a primary limitation of their study is that it only included women, most of whom were European, making the sample somewhat limited. Furthermore, those who consumed more ultra-processed food had higher BMI, smoking rates, and levels of diabetes and hypertension.

They were also less likely to engage in regular physical activity. This suggests that depression among these survey participants could have developed due to a multitude of other factors.