Eating a diet with high amounts of processed foods increases the chances of depression . Scientists at the University of London have reached this conclusion after analyzing data from 3,500 public employees with an average age of 55 years.
"The results suggest that fruits, vegetables and fish may offer protection against the development of depressive symptoms ," the authors explain in the British Journal of Psychiatry. On the contrary, they point out, "a diet rich in processed meat, chocolates, sugary desserts, fried food, refined cereals and high-fat dairy could increase vulnerability to this disease."
During the study, the participants were divided into two groups. Those who followed a diet based on whole foods (fruits, vegetables and fish) had a 25% lower risk of future depression than those who ate mainly processed foods. This research confirms data from another recent Spanish study that showed that people who eat the so-called Mediterranean diet have a 30% lower risk of developing depression.
