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French fries may cause depression and anxiety <a href="https://www.aljazeera.net/author/%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%84%D9%84%D9%8A-%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%84">Nelly Adel</a> 15/5/2023 – | Last update: 5/15/2023 12:28 PM (Mecca time) Crispy, delicious and greasy, french fries are one of the most popular foods around the world. It is an easy, quick and delicious option that suits various meals during the day, and it can be eaten as a secondary meal or as a main dish with various sauces and drinks. Although fried potatoes have long been associated with calories due to their high fat content, their role in gaining weight, threatening health, and many dangerous consequences when over-consumed, such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and others, what is new is that they are also linked to some mental health diseases such as stress and depression. . So what's the story? What is the relationship of fried foods with mental health? Recent scientific studies revealed that eating fried foods may have a negative effect on mental health, and <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2023/04/24/health/fried-food-anxiety-depression-risk-wellness/index.html">a research team</a> in Hangzhou, China, found that frequent consumption of fried foods, especially potatoes, was associated with a 12% increased risk of anxiety and a 7% risk of depression compared to For people who do not eat fried foods. This association was more evident in younger age groups and among younger consumers, as fried foods are a known risk factor for obesity, high blood pressure and other health effects. However, experts said that these findings do not necessarily indicate whether fried foods cause mental health problems in consumers, or that people with symptoms of depression or anxiety are more likely to consume fried foods. Fried foods give an immediate feeling of improvement, and many tend to (Pixaby) <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/french-fries-may-drive-anxiety-depression-new-research-suggests-585831">The study</a> found that the risk of cancer and death, especially ovarian cancer, increased for those who ate more processed foods. After following more than 140,000 people over more than 10 years, it was found that french fries in particular caused a 2% increase in the risk of developing chronic depression and anxiety as a result of changing brain chemistry. However, the results may be counterproductive, in the sense that it is thought that people with anxiety, depression and disorders such as chronic stress tend to consume "comfort food" to feel better. Those who suffer from underlying symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental and psychological disorders resort to habits such as “ <a href="https://www.aljazeera.net/lifestyle/2019/2/19/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%86%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%B3-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%81%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B7%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%86%D9%88%D9%86">emotional eating</a> ” to self-medicate and feel relief, even if temporarily. The importance of healthy food for a balanced mental health To protect mental health in general, <a href="https://www.today.com/health/mind-body/fried-foods-anxiety-depression-rcna81321">experts in public health and nutrition recommend</a> eating whole, natural foods that are minimally processed, with the need to avoid foods that contain added sugars, preservatives and chemicals, and reduce fried foods to the least possible extent due to <a href="https://www.aljazeera.net/health/2021/6/2/%D8%A8%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%B7%D8%B3-%D8%A8%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%B7%D8%A7-2">their multiple harms</a> . It should also be known that the relationship between malnutrition and poor mental and psychological health is a two-way street, as unhealthy foods harm the microbiome (the beneficial bacteria in the body responsible for enhancing the efficiency of many important functions such as digestion and metabolism), and can exacerbate symptoms of depression, but At the same time, those in a low mood tend to reach for comfort foods that give an immediate feeling of well-being, such as fried foods and sweets. Unhealthy foods harm the microbiome and can exacerbate symptoms of depression (Pixels) Are there foods that increase or decrease depression problems? And whether there are any foods that may benefit or prevent depression and anxiety, Dr. Johnson Arbor, a medical toxicologist, answers – to the "Medical <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/fried-foods-french-fries-linked-to-anxiety-depression#Foods-for-better-mental-health">News Today</a> " site for health and medical information – that "there are no specific foods that have been proven to treat or prevent depression or anxiety." She adds that <a href="https://www.aljazeera.net/health/2018/9/29/%D8%AD%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%AD%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%B7-%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%83%D8%AA%D8%A6%D8%A7%D8%A8">a predominantly Mediterranean diet</a> that includes consumption of vegetables, fruits, beans and whole grains is associated with lower levels of C-reactive protein than any other diet. She explained that C-reactive protein is associated with inflammation in the body, so low levels of it may have a positive effect on the development of depression, anxiety and other conditions affected by inflammation. On the other hand, high levels of eating fried foods, especially potatoes, lead to increased levels of the toxic substance "acrylamide" in the blood. High levels of this toxin lead to differences in the function of neurons in the brain and may cause depression and anxiety, especially in young people. She concluded by warning the need to reduce the consumption of fried foods such as potatoes to a minimum, and limit them to rare occasions only, not more than once a month, in order to avoid suffering from anxiety and depression.
