Australian researchers studying how diet effects mental health in women are reporting that a diet high in processed foods appears to be linked to a greater incidence of mood disorders, including depression and anxiety.
Researchers from the University of Melbourne reviewed diet and psychiatric evaluations from over 1000 women over a ten-year period.
When they assessed how diet was linked to mental health, they found that a largely “Western” diet high in processed foods, such as white bread, pizza, chips and sweets was associated with a more than 50 percent greater chance of depressive disorders.
Conversely, women who ate a diet rich in unprocessed and whole foods, such as vegetables, fruit, fish and whole grains appeared less likely to experience depressive or anxiety disorders.
The differences remained, even after researchers accounted for variables such as age, body weight, social and economic factors, level of physical activity and education.
These latest findings were published in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
For more information on healthy eating for women, including how to stay healthy with diet, nutrients and supplements, check out Leslie Beck's book The Complete Nutrition Guide for Women here.
Researchers from the University of Melbourne reviewed diet and psychiatric evaluations from over 1000 women over a ten-year period.
When they assessed how diet was linked to mental health, they found that a largely “Western” diet high in processed foods, such as white bread, pizza, chips and sweets was associated with a more than 50 percent greater chance of depressive disorders.
Conversely, women who ate a diet rich in unprocessed and whole foods, such as vegetables, fruit, fish and whole grains appeared less likely to experience depressive or anxiety disorders.
The differences remained, even after researchers accounted for variables such as age, body weight, social and economic factors, level of physical activity and education.
These latest findings were published in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
For more information on healthy eating for women, including how to stay healthy with diet, nutrients and supplements, check out Leslie Beck's book The Complete Nutrition Guide for Women here.
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