00:00 according to research published in JAMA Network Open.
00:03 Eating heavily processed foods,
00:05 with particular reference to artificial sweeteners
00:08 and artificially sweetened drinks,
00:10 could escalate the risk of developing depression.
00:13 These same processed foods already have a history
00:16 of being linked to cancers, diabetes, and obesity.
00:20 And depression is now just another
00:22 to add to the long list of reasons to avoid them.
00:25 Andrew Chan, a professor at Harvard Medical School,
00:27 recommended to Forbes that people may wish
00:30 to limit their intake of ultra-processed foods
00:33 wherever possible.
00:34 The limitations of the study restrict the authors
00:37 to only being able to confirm a link
00:38 between depression and ultra-processed foods,
00:41 not why it exists.
00:43 Further limitations are noted
00:45 within the lack of diversity in participants too.
00:48 The study involved approximately 32,000 middle-aged women,
00:51 and Chan reiterates that more studies
00:54 were definitely needed in more diverse populations.
00:57 What defines ultra-processed foods?
01:00 Despite most food being processed to some degree,
01:03 ultra-processed foods typically contain ingredients
01:06 such as protein isolates, hydrogenated oils,
01:10 high-fructose corn syrup, and chemical additives.
01:14 (gentle music)
01:16 [MUSIC]
