Maintaining a daily diet that is high in processed carbohydrates such as sugary soft drinks, white bread, and snack foods instead of whole grains including wheat bread, oatmeal, brown rice, and corn on the cob does not just cause weight gain and obesity. A new study suggests that refined carbs and added sugars can also increase risks of depression in women who are post-menopausal (PM).
The research was conducted by the Columbia University Medical Center, and led by Dr. James Gangwisch. It was published in the journal The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Medical scientists examined the dietary glycemic index (GI), kinds of carbs consumed, and depression data of over 70,000 PM women, from a National Institutes of Health (NIH) women's health study from 1994 to 1998, according to CBS News. GI measures how food affects blood sugar levels.
Researchers discovered that high GI scores, and eating refined grains and added sugars were linked to greater risks of depression in PM females. However, women who ate whole grains, dietary fiber, fruits and vegetables, and dairy had lower risks of severe sadness.
Carbohydrates boost humans' blood sugar levels. Also, the more refined a carb is, the higher score it has on the GI scale.
The researchers stated that processed foods such as white rice, white bread, and soda trigger lower blood sugar levels due to a hormonal response, according to The Telegraph. Body responses might be due to various depression symptoms such as mood swings and exhaustion.
In addition, refined sugars and starches have been connected to cardiovascular disease and inflammation. Both conditions have been linked to depression.
Gangwisch told CBS News that the researchers' findings could apply to other population groups, such as younger women and men. Thus, more research is necessary.