Global review of studies links ultra-processed food to depression
TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI GLOBAL | Nov 20, 2025, 20:11 IST
An international studies review strongly associates a diet high in ultra-processed food with a risk of depression that inter alia is significantly increased. The experts conceive the connection is due to nutrient deficiencies, blood sugar changes, and gut bacteria alterations.
TL;DR
A comprehensive review of the nine global studies shows the link between a heavy consumption of ultra-processed foods with a sharply increased risk of depression. Researchers and healthcare professionals advise lowering the intake of processed foods and monitoring one's mood.
A growing collection of scientific proofs suggests that frequent consumption of ultra-processed foods may lead to the development of depression, as per new research published this week. The conclusions, based on research of several countries, and published in well-known scientific journals, indicate that diets rich in processed products, like pizza, donuts, fried chicken, and packaged snacks, may adversely affect not only the physical but also the mental health of a person.
The article published in The Lancet shows that chronic illnesses related to ultra-processed foods are a health issue. Heart disease, stroke, and Type 2 diabetes are the major health problems that these foods cause due to their high-caloric value, fat content, added sugars and salt, which are their main ingredients. Furthermore, patients and doctors at studies worldwide have reported this same dietary pattern as a risk factor for inflammatory bowel disease, kidney disease, and even some cancer types, among others.
New research from a team of scientists in Pakistan indicates that the word 'depression' is the latest in the long list of worries related to unhealthy diets. The review published in the European Medical Journal Gastroenterology analyzed nine different studies involving over 79,700 participants and found that individuals who regularly consumed high amounts of ultra processed diets were 20 to 50 percent more likely to become depressed. Furthermore, the authors also noted that the relationship between the two remained very strong even after adjusting for different confounding factors.
A number of experts opine that there may be several biological mechanisms behind this. One of the reasons set forth is that the refined carbohydrates rapidly increase blood sugar levels and this has already been found to be the main cause of such conditions as mood changes, stress, and anxiety. Another point raised in the debate is that of nutrient deficiency since highly processed food products are known to be very poor in vitamins and minerals which are necessary for the brain development and functioning, among which B vitamins, magnesium, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids can be mentioned.
The scientists take the gut-brain connection just as serious. They actually go as far as stating that the gut microbiota of depression patients differs a lot from that of healthy individuals. What they consider to be the strongest evidence for their view is the fact that they assert that intestinal bacteria are the ones that are involved in the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. Hence, if the equilibrium of gut bacteria is disturbed, the chemical communication between the gut and the central nervous system can be different, and thus the possibility of depression can be higher.
Ultra processed foods constitute approximately 55% of the total calories in a typical American diet, and as such, most people find it hard to avoid them. Dr. Eva Selhub from Harvard Health Publishing suggests a short clean eating trial as a mood-diet self-observation tool. She encourages people to get rid of processed and sugary products for two to three weeks and then reintroduce them one by one so that they could identify the trigger.
According to Harvard Health, consumers can also identify an ultra-processed product by a normal grocery shopping if they realize that things that come in a bag or a box are most probably going to have additives or ingredients that are related to an increased risk of health.
While the evidence backing these statements is still in the process of being gathered, the researchers participating in the studies are urging further investigations to get a full understanding of the impact of these foods and to guide the people in making wise decisions.
FAQs
A comprehensive review of the nine global studies shows the link between a heavy consumption of ultra-processed foods with a sharply increased risk of depression. Researchers and healthcare professionals advise lowering the intake of processed foods and monitoring one's mood.
A growing collection of scientific proofs suggests that frequent consumption of ultra-processed foods may lead to the development of depression, as per new research published this week. The conclusions, based on research of several countries, and published in well-known scientific journals, indicate that diets rich in processed products, like pizza, donuts, fried chicken, and packaged snacks, may adversely affect not only the physical but also the mental health of a person.
The article published in The Lancet shows that chronic illnesses related to ultra-processed foods are a health issue. Heart disease, stroke, and Type 2 diabetes are the major health problems that these foods cause due to their high-caloric value, fat content, added sugars and salt, which are their main ingredients. Furthermore, patients and doctors at studies worldwide have reported this same dietary pattern as a risk factor for inflammatory bowel disease, kidney disease, and even some cancer types, among others.
New research from a team of scientists in Pakistan indicates that the word 'depression' is the latest in the long list of worries related to unhealthy diets. The review published in the European Medical Journal Gastroenterology analyzed nine different studies involving over 79,700 participants and found that individuals who regularly consumed high amounts of ultra processed diets were 20 to 50 percent more likely to become depressed. Furthermore, the authors also noted that the relationship between the two remained very strong even after adjusting for different confounding factors.
A number of experts opine that there may be several biological mechanisms behind this. One of the reasons set forth is that the refined carbohydrates rapidly increase blood sugar levels and this has already been found to be the main cause of such conditions as mood changes, stress, and anxiety. Another point raised in the debate is that of nutrient deficiency since highly processed food products are known to be very poor in vitamins and minerals which are necessary for the brain development and functioning, among which B vitamins, magnesium, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids can be mentioned.
The scientists take the gut-brain connection just as serious. They actually go as far as stating that the gut microbiota of depression patients differs a lot from that of healthy individuals. What they consider to be the strongest evidence for their view is the fact that they assert that intestinal bacteria are the ones that are involved in the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. Hence, if the equilibrium of gut bacteria is disturbed, the chemical communication between the gut and the central nervous system can be different, and thus the possibility of depression can be higher.
Ultra processed foods constitute approximately 55% of the total calories in a typical American diet, and as such, most people find it hard to avoid them. Dr. Eva Selhub from Harvard Health Publishing suggests a short clean eating trial as a mood-diet self-observation tool. She encourages people to get rid of processed and sugary products for two to three weeks and then reintroduce them one by one so that they could identify the trigger.
According to Harvard Health, consumers can also identify an ultra-processed product by a normal grocery shopping if they realize that things that come in a bag or a box are most probably going to have additives or ingredients that are related to an increased risk of health.
While the evidence backing these statements is still in the process of being gathered, the researchers participating in the studies are urging further investigations to get a full understanding of the impact of these foods and to guide the people in making wise decisions.
FAQs
- Why do these foods affect mood?
There are three ways through which the consumption of ultra-processed foods can affect people’s moods: causing rapid changes in blood sugar levels, depriving them of important nutrients and changing the composition of their gut bacteria. - Can reducing these foods help?
The scientists are suggesting as a part of their upcoming study, that the research participants should reduce their intake of processed food and at the same time monitor their moods for any improvement. Starting a clean eating plan may also be helpful in pinpointing the exact food that leads to an unhealthy craving.