The depressogenic potential of added dietary sugars

Abstract

Added sugars are ubiquitous in contemporary Western diets. Although excessive sugar consumption is now robustly associated with an array of adverse health consequences, comparatively little research has thus far addressed its impact on the risk of mental illness. But ample evidence suggests that high-dose sugar intake can perturb numerous metabolic, inflammatory, and neurobiological processes. Many such effects are of particular relevance to the onset and maintenance of depressive illness, among them: systemic inflammation, gut microbiota disruption, perturbed dopaminergic reward signaling, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and the generation of toxic advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). Accordingly, we hypothesize that added dietary sugars carry the potential to increase vulnerability to major depressive disorder, particularly at high levels of consumption. The present paper: (a) summarizes the existing experimental and epidemiological research regarding sugar consumption and depression vulnerability; (b) examines the impact of sugar ingestion on known depressogenic physiological processes; and (c) outlines the clinical and theoretical implications of the apparent sugar-depression link. We conclude that the extant literature supports the hypothesized depressogenic impact of added dietary sugars, and propose that an improved understanding of the effects of sugar on body and mind may aid in the development of novel therapeutic and preventative measures for depression.

Association Between Natural/Built Campus Environment and Depression Among Chinese Undergraduates: Multiscale Evidence for the Moderating Role of Socioeconomic Factors After Controlling for Residential Self-Selection

“…Street intersection density is a commonly used measure of street connectivity that provides direct and safe pathways for active trips ( 38 ). Similar to a prior study ( 76 ), unhealthy food facilities serving fast foods and take-away sweets might shape a dietary pattern of sweets and high-fat foods ( 39 ), both of which are risk factors for depression ( 40 – 42 ).…”

“…Among these measures, food facilities and road/street environments are closely related to students' daily activities. Road/street environments are more likely to be related to physical activity ( 38 ), and food facilities are more likely to change dietary patterns ( 39 ), both of which could affect depression ( 40 – 42 ).…”

The Relationship between Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, Intake of Specific Foods and Depression in an Adult Population (45–75 Years) in Primary Health Care. A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study

“…An excessive consumption of sugary drinks has also been shown to be related with more significant depressive symptomatology. Sugars have been shown to impact very negatively on brain proteins, mainly on neutrophins, which are known to play a relevant role in depression since they protect the brain against oxidative stress and promote the growth of new brain cells [ 95 ].…”

Prevalence and factors associated with gynoid lipodystrophy in Brazilian adolescent girls: a cross‐sectional study

“…Additionally, it modifies the gut microbiome and promotes systemic inflammatory changes that increase the risk of several diseases. [39][40][41][42][43] Contrarily, the Mediterranean diet, characterized by unprocessed foods with a high proportion of fibers and proteins, is associated with a lower prevalence and better progression of diabetes. 44 The role of xenobiotics and exogenous estrogens from a highly processed food diet and endocrine disruptors in GLD development should be better investigated through specific designs.…”