The findings of the study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry warn those who eat high-fat-foods-- like fast food and fried food-- that they may end up feeling depressed.
However, the study claims that a Mediterranean-style diet rich in fruits and vegetables can protect against the odds of this mental illness.
3500 participants studied
To determine the link between overall diet and mental health, researchers from the University College London (UCL) conducted a study on 3500 middle-aged civil servants, including both males and females, for five years.
The researchers particularly focused on those who did not have an access to the fresh products like fruits and vegetables or those who lived in areas having large number of fast food restaurants. Factors like age, gender, education, physical activity, smoking habits and chronic diseases were also taken into account.
The participants were divided into two groups: those who consumed mainly processed food diet including burgers, pizzas, processed meat, fried food, sweetened desserts, chocolate and fatty dairy products; and others who ate a healthy diet including fruits, vegetables, fish, pulses, nuts, cereals and olive oil.
Strong association found between junk food and depression
After a period of five years, each subject was asked to fill a questionnaire about his/her eating habits and also to give a self-assessment report for depression.
It was found that 58 percent of those who followed the diet high in processed food were at a higher risk of depression, as compared to 26 percent of those on nutritious diet, who were found to be at a lower risk of depression.
High levels of antioxidants in fruit and vegetables may help lower the risk of depression, suggested the findings.
"Our results suggest that consuming fruits, vegetables and fish may afford protection against the onset of depressive symptoms," said Dr Tasnime Akbaraly, co-author of the report and a nutritional epidemiologist in the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at UCL.
More research required
Dr Archana Singh-Manoux, from UCL's division of population health and co-author of the report, said that further research is needed to clearly explain the association between processed food and higher risk of depression.
"It could be because a processed food diet is associated with a higher risk of coronary heart disease and inflammation, which are known to be involved in the development of depression," she said.
Dr. Andrew McCulloch, chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation, said, "This study adds to an existing body of solid research that shows the strong links between what we eat and our mental health.
"Major studies like this are crucial because they hold the key to us better understanding mental illness."
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