On gloomy days, I crave spicy, salty, and刺激的 foods.

However, spicy foods may not be as helpful in relieving depression as you might think.

Most of the provocative foods are ultra-processed foods, which can actually induce depression.

Highly processed foods are foods that have undergone multiple stages of processing and transformation, moving away from their natural state. They contain large amounts of food additives to enhance taste and aroma. Tteokbokki, snacks, candies, chocolates, and hamburgers all fall under highly processed foods.

 

The feeling of happiness after eating highly processed foods like tteokbokki or chocolate is only temporary.

 

If there is a deficiency of serotonin, known as the "happiness hormone," anxiety and depression will occur.

 

Consuming highly processed foods with high carbohydrate or sugar content temporarily increases serotonin secretion, alleviating feelings of depression for a short time. Capsaicin, which provides a spicy flavor, stimulates the release of endorphin hormones, temporarily improving mood. When the brain remembers this, it craves刺激ing foods whenever feeling depressed.

However, the habit of eating ultra-processed foods whenever feeling down ultimately makes us depressed. This is the result of a study by a research team at Florida Atlantic University in the United States, which analyzed the correlation between ultra-processed food consumption and depression in 10,359 adults. The research team checked how much ultra-processed food the participants consumed over a 24-hour period, and

 

Depression screening tools were used to measure feelings of depression. As a result, the group that consumed over 80% of their daily intake from ultra-processed foods had an 81% higher risk of depression compared to the group that consumed less than 20%. Anxiety symptoms were also found to be 19% higher. The research team stated, "It is estimated that sweeteners and other additives in ultra-processed foods increase inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, which negatively affects mental health." In fact, a domestic research team has found that higher levels of inflammation are associated with greater depression.

 

 

To fundamentally overcome depression, you should eat vegetables and fruits that are good for the intestines.

 

The "gut-brain axis" theory, which suggests there is a signal transmission pathway between the gut and the brain, is considered a consensus in the academic community. In fact, 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 study conducted by a research team at the University of Otago in New Zealand involving 422 adults found that those who frequently consumed raw vegetables and fruits experienced lower levels of depression and higher levels of happiness and satisfaction.

As a result of statistically organizing foods that have had a positive effect on mental health,

 

▲Carrots ▲Bananas ▲Apples ▲Spinach ▲Grapefruit ▲Lettuce ▲Citrus fruits ▲Berries ▲Cucumbers ▲Kiwis ranked in the top 10.

 

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When I'm in a depressed mood, I crave spicy food.

It seems like it’s absolutely not helpful..

 

Carrots? Isn't that unexpected?

Carrots are at the top for mental health.