- Researchers at University College London in England found that people who usually ate processed foods that were high in fat and sugar were 58 percent more likely to suffer from depression than those who ate a more balanced diet. These types of foods lack nutrients,
like antioxidants, folate, and omega-3s, that contribute to good mental health. Certain foods and drinks act as powerful stimulants to the body and therefore contribute to stress and mood disorders.
- The brain requires a balance of essential fatty acids including omega-6 and omega-3 to function properly. An imbalance in these crucial nutrients is linked to a number of mental health issues. The trans fats found in fast food items displaces these omega fatty acids, thereby negatively affecting brain health. These chemical changes are responsible for conditions like anxiety and depression.
- Researchers have discovered that just by seeing a McDonald's or In-N-Out logo or restaurant, it can trigger impatience. Fast food bring to mind speed and instant gratification, which makes us more restless.
- eating foods high in sugar and fat actually changes the chemical activity in your brain, causing signs of withdrawal and depression if you stop consuming them.
- When fast food-rich diets lead to obesity, children's chance for depression, low self-esteem, anxiety and a sense of hopelessness are increased
Case studies:
![Picture](/uploads/3/0/3/6/30365229/1824361.jpg)
- ln a study published in "Child: Care, Health and Development" in November 2011, researchers analyzed the fast-food consumption and test scores in math and reading of 12,000 fifth-graders. They found that children who ate fast food four to six times within a given week tested significantly lower in math and reading compared to children who did not.
- A Scripps Research Institute study found that when rats eat fatty, sugar-laden foods in large enough quantities, it can lead to compulsive overeating habits that are similar to drug addiction. In another recent study at Connecticut College, lab rats crawled just as close to Oreos as they did toward cocaine or morphine injections. When scientists peered into the animals’ brains, they found rodents that munched on oreo cookies showed even greater activation in their pleasure centers than those that received drugs.