Consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with depression, mesocorticolimbic volume, and inflammation

This study investigates the relationship between ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption, depressive symptoms, and brain volumes in adults, considering obesity and inflammation as factors. Data from 152 adults, including diet, depressive symptoms, brain imaging, and lab tests, were analyzed. Higher ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption was linked to increased depressive symptoms and reduced gray matter volumes in areas like the posterior cingulate cortex and amygdala. These associations were stronger in participants with obesity and partially mediated by white blood cell count. The study suggests that UPF consumption affects brain regions involved in reward and conflict monitoring, though no causal conclusions can be drawn.

Year: 2023

Reference: Contreras-Rodriguez, O., Reales-Moreno, M., Fernández-Barrès, S., Cimpean, A., Arnoriaga-Rodríguez, M., Puig, J., Biarnés, C., Motger-Albertí, A., Cano, M., & Fernández-Real, J. M. (2023). Consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with depression, mesocorticolimbic volume, and inflammation. Journal of affective disorders, 335, 340–348. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2023.05.009

Related Studies

Ultra-processed food exposure and adverse health outcomes: umbrella review of epidemiological meta-analyses

This systematic umbrella review assessed meta-analytic evidence on the association between ultra-processed food consumption, as classified by the Nova system, and adverse health outcomes. Systematic umbrella review of meta-analyses from MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase, and Cochrane (2009–June 2023). Studies were assessed using predefined evidence classification criteria and the GRADE framework. The review included 45 pooled analyses […]

Pro-inflammatory diet and depressive symptoms in the healthcare setting

Exploring the association between dietary inflammation and depression Depression affects over 350 million people worldwide and has recently been linked to low-grade chronic inflammation. Diet plays a critical role in promoting a pro-inflammatory state, as evidenced by studies showing that higher Empirical Dietary Inflammatory Index (EDII) scores correlate with increased plasma inflammatory markers. While the […]