I love fast food as much (or even more) than most people. Most of us understand that fast food makes us fat, but are you aware of the fact that it can lead to depression?

Research on  9,000 people determined that fast food is not good for mental health

Pizzas, hot dogs and hamburgers are not only nutritionally void, but they also tend to make people more miserable, if not depressed. The study revealed that more than 50% of the subjects were depressed after eating this type of food.

Most people who frequently eat  fast food are more likely than their peers to:

• smoke,
• live sedentary lives
• work more than 45 hours a week

and are unmarried.

Nearly 500 of the subjects in the research group of close to nine thousand were diagnosed with clinical depression and needed to be prescribed anti-depressants. None of the subjects used in the trial had any obesity-related diseases, nor were they are on a particularly high or low-calorie diet.

Another researcher made the claim that commercially baked foods can also cause depression.Even small amounts of baked breads, pastries, biscuits and cakes can lead to depression. While more studies are necessary to validate this finding, it is well known that baked foods have other serious implications on health, including obesity.

Not only do fast food junkies have to contend with increased risk of stroke, obesity and diabetes, they now have to struggle with depression and possible suicidal ideation. The problem is even further exacerbated when they start taking anti-depressants.

Ironically, these medications lead to further depression and even suicide

The package inserts of anti-depressants clearly list around 70 different side effects. Some of them have a hundred or more dangerous side effects. Suicide is a prominent side effect associated with taking these drugs.

It is difficult to determine whether the depression or the fast food is to blame

Obese people certainly have a predisposition to depression, however it is unclear whether the bad food choices are causing the depression.

There is certainly a correlation between fast food and depression

Obese people often use food and fast food in particular as an escape from some issue. This is why it is wise to address that issue and embark on a weight-management program simultaneously. This two-pronged approach will help to get back into shape, and the new-found self-esteem will go a long way towards becoming a happier and depression-free person.