New Research, Ultraprocess Food Consumption Can Trigger Depression

JAKARTA - Foods consumed daily not only affect physical, but also mental health. Therefore, choosing nutritious food is very important for physical and mental health.

One of the foods that are increasingly consumed, the higher the risk of depression is ultraprocessed food. This was revealed through the latest research from Pakistan.

Quoted from the New York Post, the study attributed the consumption of many ultra-processed foods to the risk of 20 percent to more than 50 percent being depressed. This is indicated by the loss of desire to carry out activities and persistent feelings of sadness and despair.

This relationship remains significant even after being adjusted to potential disruptive factors, the study's authors said.

The researchers reviewed nine studies with more than 79,700 participants to draw this conclusion. There are several theories that support this relationship.

One of them is that fast food can directly cause a spike in blood sugar, which is related to negative moods, stress, and anxiety.

These foods are also low in essential nutrients, such as vitamin B, vitamin D, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for brain health. The relationship between the brain and the intestines is key to the study.

"Research shows that the depressed individual's gut microbiota differ significantly compared to healthy individuals," he said.

"From existing data, the author can conclude that intestinal bacteria can react with the nervous system and cause depression," he added.

The study author asserted that intestinal bacteria produce chemicals related to mood, namely serotonin, dopamine, and Gamma-Ainobutyric Acid (GABA). Disturbing the balance of these sensitive bacteria can change levels of neurotransmitters, which can eventually cause depression.