Do you eat too much sugar? You could increase your risk of developing depression by 31%

A study revealed a link between excessive sugar intake and the risk of developing depression, diabetes and heart disease with a possible increase of 31%, 15% and 22% respectively

A study published in Journal of Translational Medicine revealed a worrying link between excessive sugar intake and the risk of developing depression, diabetes and heart disease. Conducted on around 180,000 participants from the UK Biobank, the research used artificial intelligence to analyze the subjects’ eating habits, dividing them into three main groups: “health-conscious”, “omnivores” and “greedy”.

The “greedy” group, which tends to consume high quantities of sweet foods and sugary drinks, showed a significantly higher risk of developing depression (+31%), diabetes (+15%) and stroke (+22%) compared to the other groups. In contrast, the “health-conscious” group, which favors more nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables, showed a lower risk of chronic diseases, including heart failure and kidney disease.

The researchers also analyzed the biological markers in the participants’ blood, revealing significant differences between the groups. People who consume too many sweets present higher levels of C-reactive proteinan indicator of inflammation, as well as high blood glucose levels, warning signs of diabetes. Furthermore, these subjects had unfavorable lipid profileswhich are linked to cardiovascular diseases.

Excess sugar can also increase cortisol levels

The analysis confirmed that high sugar consumption can negatively affect mental health, potentially through increased body inflammationwhich has been associated with a greater risk of depression.

Eating habits high in sugar can also alter the balance of intestinal bacteriaa factor that experts believe may affect brain health. Furthermore, excess sugar can increase cortisol levelsthe stress hormone, further contributing to a predisposition to depression.

While sugar has not been proven to directly cause depression, researchers warn that excessive consumption of added sugars can be harmful in the long run, accumulating risks to general health.

To avoid these effects we recommend reduce your intake of refined sugarsfavoring a balanced diet rich in fresh and nutritious foods. The study findings suggest that paying attention to your food choices could significantly improve your mental and physical well-being.