Is there a link between sugar and depression? Yes the evidence is in! Both sugar and refined carbohydrates affect your mood by causing inflammation to spread to your brain.
There is plenty of data and research proving that your food choices can affect your mood. Depression has become one of the biggest unexpected burdens on society. What we eat is the contributing factor finds a new study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Remember sugars and refined carbohydrates already cause insulin and blood sugar imbalances. Regular consumption further causes the body to use up B vitamins that we need to sustain good moods.
“If you struggle with feeling hopeless, sad, or otherwise mentally fragile, you’re not alone. More than 100 million Americans – that’s literally one in three – struggle through life with a depression,” said Dr. Mark Hyman.
Top Food – Mood Offenders
Sugar is the top offender and is at the root of chronic inflammation. Lowering your levels with anti-inflammatory whole foods will give you a shot at improving your mood.
Refined Carbohydrates like white bread, white rice, cereal, pasta, chips and cookies also cause your blood sugar to rise increasing your risk for depression.
Artificial Sweetener consumption has been shown to significantly reduce serotonin levels, the happy hormone in your brain affecting your moods.
Processed Foods aren’t just microwave meals. This term also applies to any food that has been altered from its natural state in some way. These foods tend to have higher amounts of salt, sugar and fat plus other ingredients to improve the flavor and extend the shelf life.
Trans Fats also known as partially hydrogenated oil found in baked goods and vegetable oils can increase your risk of depression by 48%. In addition trans fats can clog your arteries increasing your risk for heart disease.
Furthermore Dr. Mark Hyman said…
“…experimenting with my own body and mind, I finally came to understand that it wasn’t just one thing that caused my brain to break, but the accumulation of many things.”
So what can you do to decrease your risk for depression? Read more about the seven imbalances in the body that underlie the causes of ALL illness in Dr. Hyman’s article 6 Strategies to Eliminate Depression
What foods changes have you made to help improve your mood? Please comment below, I’d love to hear from you!
Heal your body naturally from the inside our with nutrition and live young every day!
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Cheers to a Healthy Life!
I’m a Midwest gal who began on a journey to live a healthier life way back when I was in college. Now just like all of you, the twists and turns of my life have led me to where I am today. Passionate about healthy living, community and social media, I invite you to Live Young with me!
