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그래서 가끔 초콜릿 먹으면 좋아요 ㅎㅎ 매운 거는 맛이 통각에도 해당 돼서 별로 좋지 않은 것 같더라구요.
Reporter Lee Hae-rim's story
The more depressed I feel, the more I crave spicy, sweet, and stimulating foods.
However, spicy foods may not help relieve depression as much as you might think.
Most of the stimulating foods are ultra-processed foods, and ultra-processed foods actually cause depression.
Ultra-processed foods are those that have undergone multiple processes and modifications, deviating from their natural state. They contain large amounts of food additives to enhance flavor and aroma. Tteokbokki, snacks, candies, chocolate, and hamburgers all fall under the category of ultra-processed foods.
The feeling of well-being after eating ultra-processed foods like tteokbokki or chocolate is only momentary.
A lack of serotonin, known as the 'happiness hormone', can lead to anxiety and depression.
Eating ultra-processed foods high in carbohydrates and sugars temporarily increases serotonin production, temporarily alleviating depression. Capsaicin, the spice that gives a spicy taste, stimulates the release of endorphins, temporarily elevating mood. When the brain remembers this, it craves stimulating foods whenever it feels depressed.
However, the habit of eating ultra-processed foods whenever we feel down can ultimately lead to depression. This is the result of a study conducted by a research team at Florida Atlantic University in the United States, which analyzed the correlation between ultra-processed food consumption and depression in 13,599 adults. The research team checked how much ultra-processed food the participants consumed over a 24-hour period, and
Depression was measured using a depression screening tool. The results showed that the group that consumed 80% of their daily intake from ultra-processed foods had an 81% higher risk of depression than the group that consumed less than 20%. Anxiety symptoms were also 19% higher. The research team stated, "We presume that the sweeteners in ultra-processed foods increase inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, which negatively impacts mental health." Indeed, a domestic research team found that higher levels of inflammation correlate with depression.
To fundamentally shake off depression, you need to eat vegetables and fruits that are good for your gut.
The "gut-brain axis" theory, which posits a signaling pathway between the gut and the brain, is widely accepted as an academic orthodoxy. Indeed, the American Psychological Association has stated that gut bacteria produce neurochemicals that regulate physiological responses, including mood.
Foods that promote beneficial gut bacteria also have a positive impact on mental health. A research team at the University of Otago in New Zealand surveyed 422 adults about their diets and depression. They found that those who frequently consumed raw vegetables and fruit had lower levels of depression and higher levels of happiness and satisfaction.
As a result of statistically organizing foods that have a positive effect on mental health,
▲Carrots ▲Bananas ▲Apples ▲Spinach ▲Grapefruit ▲Lettuce ▲Citrus fruits ▲Berries ▲Cucumbers ▲Kiwi ranked in the top 10.
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When I'm depressed, I crave spicy food.
It doesn't seem to help at all..
Carrots? Isn't that surprising?
Carrots are high on the list for mental health.
