Sunday, December 8, 2024

Are French Fries a Source of Anxiety and Depression?

If you are one of those people who don’t want your favorite foods to be spoiled by bad health news, you may not want to continue to the next sentence. A new study shows that French fries may be linked to anxiety and depression. Don’t say we didn’t warn you! 

This article will discuss what the study reveals and why you may want to think twice before adding French fries to your diet. Read on at your discretion. 

It’s All About the Acrylamide

When foods are fried, their chemical composition changes producing harmful chemicals. One of these chemicals is acrylamide. Acrylamide has been linked to obesity, metabolic syndrome, neurological disorders, and mood disorders like anxiety and depression. 

French fries are especially high in acrylamide. 

The Study 

The study looked at 140,728 people from U.K. Biobank who were put on fried food diets. Researchers measured anxiety and depression over 11 years. They found 8294 cases of anxiety and 12,735 cases of depression. 

Overall findings established that one serving of fried food a day led to a 12% higher risk of anxiety and a 7% higher risk of depression. Participants most likely to eat a fast-food diet were younger males who smoked. 

Another study looked at zebrafish exposed to low levels of acrylamide on an ongoing basis. The zebrafish exhibited symptoms of anxiety and depression. Researchers also found the chemical led to neuroinflammation, reduced lipid metabolism, and an impaired permeability of the blood-brain barrier. 

The Link Between Anxiety, Depression, and Fried Foods

Dr. Michael McGrath, a board-certified psychiatrist and Medical Director of the Ohana Luxury Alcohol Rehab who was not involved in the study spoke about the link between anxiety, depression, and fast food. He noted that there may be factors beyond acrylamide that are responsible for the lack of mental wellness. 

For example, he noted that people that eat fried food often are more likely to be dealing with anxiety and depression. The food may lift their moods temporarily. 

Janet Lydecker, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine was also not involved in the study. She theorized that people that eat fried and unhealthy foods may do so while engaging in certain activities that affect mental health. 

How to Improve Your Diet for Better Mental Health

Although the link between fried food and depression has not been established, it’s a well-known fact that the food you eat has a direct effect on your mental health. You can make improvements by eating foods that boost mood like those rich in healthy fats. The Mediterranean diet, which stresses eating fruits, beans, vegetables, and whole grains, is said to be beneficial to mood. 

If you choose to eat potatoes, baking, grilling, and air-frying are healthier alternatives to deep-frying. 

Now that you know the DL, will you be removing French fries from your diet? 

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