Ultra‐processed food consumption and mental health: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational studies

The relationship between consuming ultra-processed foods and depression, in addition to other mental disorders, has undergone further studies beyond the scope of previously published meta-analyses, that were curtailed by the then-available body of evidence. In this systematic review and meta-analysis by Lane et al. (2022), the authors assembled the current body of evidence (comprised of 17 observational studies: 15 cross-sectional and two prospectives, total n = 382,541 participants) investigating the relationship between consuming ultra-processed food and mental disorders. Analysis of the results revealed a link between elevated consumption of ultra-processed food and a rising risk of suffering from depression and anxiety, in addition to increased risk of developing depression later in life. The authors comment that, despite initial results demonstrating a substantial risk to mental health resulting from the intake of ultra-processed foods, further research is necessary to fully understand the
mechanisms underlying these observed interactions. [NPID: Major depressive disorder, anxiety, mental disorders, ultra-processed food, NOVA, meta-analysis, nutritional psychiatry, psychiatry]

Year: 2022

Reference: Lane, M.M.; Gamage, E.; Travica, N.; Dissanayaka, T.; Ashtree, D.N.; Gauci, S.; Lotfaliany, M.; O’Neil, A.; Jacka, F.N.; Marx, W. Ultra‐Processed Food Consumption and Mental Health: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Observational Studies. Nutrients 2022, 14, 2568. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/nu14132568