Fried foods linked with higher risk of anxiety and depression, study finds

Frequent fried food consumption — “especially fried potato consumption” like french fries — was strongly associated with a 12% higher risk of anxiety and a 7% higher risk of depression. The authors of the paper blamed acrylamide — a contaminant produced in starchy foods when they are fried, baked, roasted or otherwise cooked at high temperatures — as a potential culprit for the mental health changes.

To avoid exposure to acrylamide, she advises using gentle heat when cooking, like boiling potatoes instead of frying them. If you’re still craving french fries, air frying potatoes produces less acrylamide. To protect your mental health in general, Naidoo recommends eating whole, natural foods that are minimally processed. Skip foods with added sugars, preservatives and chemicals, and cut back on fried foods.

Unhealthy foods are detrimental to the microbiome and can exacerbate depressive symptoms, but at the same time those experiencing low mood tend to be more inclined to reach for ‘comfort’ foods such as fried foods and desserts.

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS

associated with sth = connected with sth = linked with sth: liên kết, kết nối với

contaminant (n): chất làm ôn nhiễm, chất độc

culprit (n): nguyên nhân, thứ gây ra vấn đề, thủ phạm

avoid exposure to sth: tránh sự tiếp xúc với thứ gì

crave sth (v): thèm muốn

minimally (adv): mức độ rất nhỏ, rất ít

preservatives (n): chất bảo quản

cut back on sth = reduce sth: giảm thứ gì

be detrimental to sth (adj) = be harmful to sth: có hại tới thứ gì

exacerbate sth (v): làm cái gì trở nên trầm trọng hơn, làm cái gì trở nên xấu đi

inclined to do sth = wanting to do sth: muốn làm gì