Eating foods high in trans-fat may increase your risk of developing depression; new research claims.
Trans fat comes from adding hydrogen to vegetable oil through a process called hydrogenation. They are used to prolong shelf-life of processed foods, like cookies, snack cakes, and potato chips.
Trans-fats have been linked to heart disease, diabetes, and obesity; prompting cities like New York to ban restaurants from using them.
The new study found the more trans-fat you consume, the greater your risk of depression.
Writing in the online journal PloS One, scientists analyzed the diet of 12,000 volunteers over a six-year period. At the beginning of the study, none of the individuals had been diagnosed with depression. But after the six years, 657 study participants suffered from depression.
Data showed individuals with "elevated" intake of trans-fats had a 48% increased risk of depression, compared to those who did not consume trans-fat.
The scientists determined the more trans-fat people consume, the higher their risk of depression. They recommend avoiding trans-fat and sticking to healthier oils, such as fish, vegetable, and olive oil, which have been associated with a lower risk of depression.
Additionally, the researchers discovered that omega-9 fatty acids helped prevent mental illness. Previous studies indicate that omega-fats, found in foods like fatty fish - such as salmon - may help prevent depression.
According to the World Health Organization, depression affects 121 million people, and is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. And, despite being "reliably diagnosed," fewer than 25% of those with depression have effective access to treatment, with many sufferers avoiding treatment due to the social stigma.
Image credit: John Kannenberg
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