White Bread And Pasta Linked To Depression In Women

Next time you reach for that bacon sarnie made with soft, white bread - think of this.

A new study has found links between white bread consumption and depression in post-menopausal women.

Data from more than 70,000 women revealed that older women were at higher risk of suffering from depression if their diet contained refined carbs - including white bread, pasta and rice.

But, fear not, because researchers found that whole grains, vegetables and foods rich in fibre could help reduce depression risk.

The data analysed was from the women's health initiative study between 1994 and 1998, conducted by the National Institutes of Health.

Usually, when a person consumes carbohydrates, their blood sugar levels with spike.

However researchers found that refined foods such as white bread could trigger a hormonal response in the body which would lower blood sugar levels - causing mood changes, fatigue and other symptoms of depression.

Scientists say there's a clear link between these refined foods, added sugars and increased risk of depression in women.

Dr James Gangwisch from Columbia University, who led the study, said: "This suggests that dietary interventions could serve as treatments and preventive measures for depression.

"Further study is needed to examine the potential of this novel option for treatment and prevention, and to see if similar results are found in the broader population."

The study was published in the American Journal Of Clinical Nutrition.

SEE ALSO:
18 Health Benefits Of Whole Grains
Dietitian Explains Why Bread Doesn't Bloat You And How Avoiding It Could Damage Your Health

It's not the first time refined foods have been linked to ill-health in women. A previous study found that they could also contribute towards endometrial cancer.

The findings were based on studies in the US by the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) and the World Cancer Research Fund International, which revealed that 'glycemic load' affects the risk of getting the cancer.

Glycemic load refers to how quickly a food releases sugar, and high GL foods such as white bread or pasta release sugar very quickly.

For a healthier diet, try these 'good carbs' instead:

Good Carbs

Beans(01 of08)

Kidney, pinto, black, garbanzo -- just about any type of bean provides a hearty dose of fiber and little sugar. An ounce of black beans, for example, contains 7 total grams of carbs, 2 of which are fiber.

Of course, beans have the additional benefit of providing protein, and one study found that bean eaters weighed less (but ate more!) than people who avoided beans, WebMD reported. (credit:cookbookman17/Flickr)

Squash(02 of08)

Squash, like butternut here, is another low-sugar, high-fiber source of carbs. A cup of cooked butternut cubes contains nearly 22 grams of carbohydrates, more than 6 of which are fiber.

The bright hue of butternut and other squashes signifies the presence of carotenoids, a type of disease-fighting antioxidant. (credit:levork/Flickr)

Oatmeal(03 of08)

The particular type of fiber in oats has been linked to improved heart health and weight management, as well as lower cholesterol. Just don't overdo it on the sugar-sweetened toppings! (credit:sweetbeetandgreenbean/Flickr)

Popcorn(04 of08)

In some of the greatest news: Popcorn is a whole grain. Stick to the air-popped variety so you don't overdo it on fat and sodium -- one cup has 6 grams of carbs, 1 of which is fiber, and has only 31 calories. (credit:Alan Cleaver/Flickr)

Quinoa with Chickpeas, Curry, and Lime(05 of08)

Not only does one cup contain 5 grams of fiber, but quinoa is also a complete protein. That means it contains all nine of the essential amino acids, which cannot be made by the body and therefore must come from food. (credit:emmadiscovery/Flickr)

Sweet Potatoes(06 of08)

Any potato (with the skin on!) is a great source of fiber-rich carbs, but sweet potatoes are loaded with those same colorful carotenoids as squash. Sweet taters boast some vitamin C, protein and potassium, to boot. (credit:cseeman/Flickr)

Bananas(07 of08)

"Nature's power bar" rivals sports drinks when it comes to providing athletes with energy (i.e. carbs) thanks to those natural sugars. But a medium banana also contains 3 grams of fiber and a hearty dose of vitamin B6, crucial for more than 100 different functions in the body. (credit:keepon/Flickr)

Berries(08 of08)

Just about any variety will deliver some fiber and a whole host of vitamins and antioxidants. Blueberries are one of our favorite picks, since an entire cup will only set you back 84 calories. Plus, eating just one serving of the tiny superfruit a week has been linked with warding off cognitive decline as we age. (credit:@rsseattle/Flickr)

uk lifestyle news Health Health News depression Mental Health

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