Do you like Cup-Ramen? My daughter who is going to be 15 this year wants to try one. She hasn’t tasted cup ramen yet since I told her not to eat it untill she becomes an adult. I know I can’t stop her when she is in collage. I don’t know why she has any interest in cup ramen because none of my family members eat cup ramen. She may have seen a friend eating or secretly have had a bite before. I have never liked cup ramen. I tried once when I was small and I vomited. I felt sick afterwards. However, I ate instant ramen. I liked “Chuka Zanmai” from Ajinomoto. Yes, it is loaded with MSG. I used to eat instant ramen very often and eat out almost every day when I was in high school. That habit led me to migraine headaches of “unknown” cause. As soon as I got up from bed in the morning, a shooting headache pain started. Even just walking gave me pain. The pain was so severe that I wanted to scream “Ow, ow, ow! I had a lot of tests done at a large hospital, but nothing was found. I ended up being prescribed some kind of strong headache medicine. In hindsight, I think it was the consumption of ultra-processed foods that caused my migraines.
I am sure everyone knows that ultra-processed foods (UPF’s) are not good for your health. However, you might not be able to stop eating them because you don’t notice any physical changes such as being nauseated, itching, headaches, as soon as you consume them. Also, UPFs are addictive, so even if you stop eating one thing, you often replace it with something different and become addicted in the same way. Long-term consumption of UPFs can cause migraines, as I have experienced, and chronic inflammation in the body, which can lead to joint pain, muscle pain, and even autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Many processed foods also contain artificial additives, preservatives, and emulsifiers that irritate the intestinal lining and cause bloating, cramping, and acid reflux. If you are able to notice those physical symptoms, you might ask for help. However, the scariest thing is that it could unknowingly lead to depression.
Research has indicated a relationship between UPFs consumption and an increased risk of depression. A study co-authored by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that individuals consuming nine or more servings of UPFs daily had a 50% higher risk of developing depression compared to those with lower intake.
Similarly, a large-scale Australian study observed that participants with the highest proportion of energy intake from UPFs had a significantly greater risk of depression over a 15-year period. The study accounted for factors such as smoking, education, income, and physical activity, reinforcing the potential impact of UPFs on mental health.
Mechanisms supporting the relationship between UPFs and depression
Consuming primarily ultra-processed foods leads to a lack of dietary fiber and polyphenols. A diet low in fiber can cause intestinal dysbiosis (imbalance of intestinal bacteria), which can lead to mood instability. In addition, polyphenols support gut health and the gut-brain axis, which affects mood and mental health, so a lack of polyphenols can lead to depression. It also disrupts neurotransmitter function and increases levels of stress hormones, which are related to the development of depression. Excessive sugar intake from UPFa, like substance abuse, is said to cause dysregulation of dopamine, leading to mood instability and depressive symptoms.
Families with young children should really pay attention to this kind of research. A growing body of research suggests that increased consumption of ultra-processed foods may be an important factor in increased rates of depression among young people. If you notice a loss of interest in usual or formerly enjoyed activities, changes in appetite or weight, problems with concentration or decision making, increased irritability, hostility, or aggression, you may want to reevaluate your diet (and/or what your child eats). Of course, your social, work, and family stress could contribute to your mental health, but your diet is something you can control, as well as for your child.
Reference:
https://www.bmj.com/content/384/bmj-2023-077310
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/22/4831
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9783387/
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2809727
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