Eating chips can make people depressed.
Eating chips can make people depressed
A new study has analysed more than 140,000 people in the UK, who filled out a questionnaire on what they had eaten in the previous 24 hours.
The group was followed up for an average of 11 years to see if they showed symptoms of anxiety and depression and those who ate at least one portion of fried food were 12 per cent more likely to have anxiety than those who did not.
Experts at Zhejiang University in China suspect that acrylamide - the chemical substance formed when potatoes are baked and fried at high temperatures - is linked to inflammation in the brain.
The study authors note: "Diet has recently been linked with the risk of developing depression and anxiety.
"A Western diet of fried or processed foods, refined grains, sugary products, and beer is associated with a higher risk of depression and anxiety.
"Typically, fried foods are a major part of the Western diet, and the consumption of fried foods increases worldwide, especially during the Covid outbreak."