Eating Fast Food Linked To Depression

It's no secret that fast food is not the best thing for your body, but a new study suggests that fast food can also be detrimental to your mental health.

Published in the journal Public Health Nutrition, the study shows that fast-food eaters are 51 percent more likely to develop depression, when compared to those who eat little or no fast food.

After studying 8,964 participants, all who have never been diagnosed with depression, researchers found that 493 were diagnosed with depression or given antidepressants. Researchers found that "the more fast food you consume, the greater risk of depression," lead author Almudena Sánchez-Villegas said.

Commercial baked goods were also named as culprits, and subjects who ate the most fast food and commercially baked goods were more likely to be single, less active, and have poor dietary habits. Researchers also noted that this group also smoked more and worked more than 45 hours a week.

While some depression-causing factors may be societal (work, job, no family, etc.), past research has shown that other foods do affect depression risk. Studies have shown that B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and a Mediterranean diet have all been linked to a lower risk of depression. So stay away from those fries and muffins, and opt for something like a Mediterranean kale soup.