Junk food can make you depressed

Ever wonder what that bite of your pizza may do to you? Know how your favourite burgers, pastries and pizza can be the reason for your depressed state

We all love mouthwatering foods which promise to satisfy our taste buds, but more often than not, you don't tend to realise what havoc it causes to your system other than making you put on excess weight. 

    Says nutritionist Namita Nanal, "In today's era with time constraints, junk food is becoming very popular and easily accessible. Obesity, lethargy, decreased immunity, etc are hampering the quality of life, hence making people depressed." The journal of 

Public Health Nutrition 

indicates that people who eat commercial baked and fried foods like doughnuts, croissants, pizzas, burgers and hot 

dogs 

are 

at a greater risk for experiencing depression. 

Says nutritionist Pallavi Srivastava, "Junk foods are full of salt and unhealthy fats and transfats, which are extremely harmful for your body. They are pro-inflammatory and cause depression as well as mood swings along with weight gain." Thus, an anti-inflammatory diet is great for preventing depression and mood swings. Says Srivastava, "For the brain to function normally, the body needs a balanced diet and when we consume foods, which are rich in excess sugar, salt and preservatives like transfats, this also hampers the mind, which makes it susceptible to disorders related to the mind." 

    To keep yourself healthy and prevent depression and anxiety, eat whole wheat pizza with lots of vegetables and less cheese. Try Indian sweets like kheer and laddoo instead of cakes and pastries.

DID YOU KNOW? People who eat junk food often are at a greater risk for experiencing depression