Share

Eating refined carbs ups risk for depression

According to the researchers, a diet based on these alternatives rather than refined carbohydrates decreased the risk of onset depression or mood disorders. This data is compiled from 70 thousand women that included in the research.

Advertisement

UPI notes that carbohydrates usually raise the amount of sugar in the blood, resulting in a higher GI score.

A study conducted by psychiatrists at the Columbia University Medical Center (CUMMC) has found out that consumption of food which is rich in highly refined carbohydrates can elevate the risk of developing depression in post-menopausal women.

According to CUMC’s site, carbohydrates can increase the level of sugar found in the blood.

The researchers found out that most participants who had higher Glycemic index scores during the study developed a higher chance of having depression at the rate of 22%.

Refined carbohydrates are contained in refined grains, such as white flour, white bread and white rice.

The body produces insulin, the hormone which breaks down sugar, as a result, taking the sugar out of the blood and leading to a “crash”.

This is because our mood is determined by a steady supply of energy from blood glucose to the brain.

Foods that release a maintained supply of energy keeps a person’s mood stable. Study researchers said that higher amount of dietary added sugars increased the chance of depression by around 23%.

However women who ate more fibre, whole grains, vegetables and fruits (but not fruit juice) had a lower risk of the mental illness. These findings strongly suggest that dietary interventions could serve as treatments and preventive measures for depression.

The study authors wrote that in coming up with an effective treatment, further researches must be done in a broader scope.

Advertisement

The survey that is undoubtedly exhibiting majority of these interpretations is carried out on any lot of records that are caused by the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study, that had been executed between 1994 and 1998, National Institutes of Health.

Depression In Women Linked To Highly Refined Carbohydrates, Says Study