High glycemic index diet as a risk factor for depression
The consumption of sweetened beverages, refined foods, and pastries has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of depression in longitudinal studies.
Gangwisch JE, et al. (Am J Clin Nutr. 2015 Aug;102(2):454-63) found a progressively higher dietary Glycemic Index to be associated with increasing odds of depression; progressively higher consumption of dietary added sugars increased this risk. Higher consumption of fiber, nonjuice fruit, and vegetables was significantly associated with lower odds of depression, and nonwhole/refined grain consumption was associated with increased odds of depression.