Can French Fries actually lead to Depression?

Researchers at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China, found a possible relationship between eating fried foods, especially french fries and an elevated risk of anxiety and sadness, as reported by CNN. People who eat fried meals often are at a greater risk of anxiety (12%) and depression (7%), according to research published in the journal PNAS. So can french fries actually give you depression?

Younger customers and men in particular showed a stronger connection. Although these findings are intriguing, experts warn that further investigation is needed to determine whether or if those already suffering signs of sadness or anxiety have turned to fried foods as a coping mechanism.

Obesity, hypertension, and other negative health impacts have long been associated with a diet heavy in fried foods. A lower intake of fried foods has been shown to improve mental health, as shown in a recent study. According to a previous study highlighted in this one, eating poorly can have a negative impact on one’s mental health and well-being.

Over the course of the study’s 11.3-year evaluation of 140,728 participants, researchers discovered that fried-food eaters were more likely to experience anxiety (8,294) and sadness (12,735). Fried foods, especially fried potatoes, have been linked by studies to an increased risk of anxiety and sadness due to a chemical called acrylamide. According to a different report cited in the study, researchers introduced zebrafish to the chemical and discovered that after prolonged exposure, the fish began to avoid light and hang out in the darkest parts of the tank.