According to a press release put out by the American Academy of Neurology today, a new study that will be presented at the Academy's National Conference in March, has reported that sweetened beverages—especially diet drinks—may increase the risk of depression. This is depressing news for diet pop addicts and proves to be yet another reason why we should ditch (or at least cut back on) sweetened beverages in general. In this study, the consumption of beverages such as pop, fruit punch, iced tea and coffee were evaluated in 263,925 people between the ages of 50 and 71 from 1995 to 1996. When the participants were asked, about 10 years later, whether or not they had been diagnosed with depression since the year 2000, 11,311 reported that they had been diagnosed with depression, according to the study.
Here's where it gets interesting...
In the study, those people who drank more than four cans of pop per day were 30% more likely to develop depression than those who didn't drink pop. Also, those who drank more than four cans of fruit punch per day were 38% more likely to develop depression than those who didn't. What's more, is that it appears that those who drank DIET versions of these sweetened drinks were more likely to develop depression than those who drank their regular sugar-sweetened counterparts.
Admittedly, I occasionally enjoy a diet coke. And to be honest, I think that the occasional diet pop is likely not going to kill you. But when these beverages are consumed multiple times a day, they can have negative health effects, both physically and mentally. Diet pop is devoid of any nutritional value and may even cause weight gain by enhancing the appetite, heart issues such as stroke and vascular disease, kidney damage, tooth decay and now, even depression. And from what I see in my own nutrition consulting practice, as soon as a client decreases or eliminates pop—whether diet or regular—from their diet, their weight starts to decrease, their digestive issues resolve, their mood is boosted and their overall health improves. So if you haven't chosen a new year's resolution yet for 2013, perhaps decreasing your diet pop consumption might be one to consider.
To end on a positive note...
In the same study that was released today on depression and sweetened beverages, it was also reported that those who drank coffee regularly were 10% less likely to develop depression than those who didn't drink coffee. This is good news for java lovers like me! Moderate coffee consumption may also tote many other health benefits such as increased cognitive function, decreased risk of skin cancer, and a decreased risk of Diabetes. So, switch out that diet pop for a latte and you'll be on the right track!
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