The focus is on promoting lower sugar items in people’s food intake, particularly in soft drinks.
Research shows that Americans who regularly consume soft drinks are more likely to become obese, develop diabetes, and suffer from heart disease in the future. But health experts are now warning that constant consumption of fizzy drinks, which are high in sugar, can have an impact on mental health.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that people who drink soda every day feel moodier.
According to JAMA, researchers tested more than 900 adults who drink soda every day. Fifty percent of those tested had clinical depression, and the remaining 50% did not have depression. They found that 8% of regular soda drinkers were diagnosed with major depression.
Women who drank soft drinks daily had a 16% increase in major depression compared to men.
The study also showed that reducing carbonated beverage intake led to a healthier gut and improved brain health.
JAMA claims that this study does not prove that soda directly causes depression. Rather, they point to specific parts of the body that contribute to an individual’s mental health.
“We find that there is a correlation between soft drink intake and depression. It could go either way. Depression could be causing soft drink consumption, or vice versa,” the published report said.
The study also added that even a moderate amount of one or two sodas a day can worsen mental health over time. They called for public education and policy changes to reduce soft drink consumption, especially among children and teens.
