The study by James Gangwisch, PhD and colleagues in the department of psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) looked at the dietary glycemic index, glycemic load, types of carbohydrates consumed, and depression in data from more than 70,000 postmenopausal women who participated in the National Institutes of Health's Women's Health Initiative Observational Study between 1994 and 1998.

Consumption of carbohydrates increases blood sugar levels to varying degrees, depending on the type of food ingested. The more highly refined the carbohydrate, the higher its score on the glycemic index (GI) scale. The GI scale, which goes from 0-100, measures the amount of sugar found in the blood after eating. Refined foods such as white bread, white rice, and soda trigger a hormonal response in the body to increase blood sugar levels. This response may also cause or exacerbate mood changes, fatigue and other symptoms of depression.

The investigators found that progressively higher dietary GI scores and consumption of added sugars and refined grains were associated with increased risk of new-onset depression in post-menopausal women. Greater consumption of dietary fiber, whole grains, vegetables and non-juice fruits was associated with decreased risk. This suggests that dietary interventions could serve as treatments and preventive measures for depression.

Further study is needed to examine the potential of this novel option for treatment and prevention, and to see if similar results are found in the broader population.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Something Amazing Happened in El Salvador This Week: 'A Nation Reborn' (Videos)

Prayer Alert: Christians Targeted in Haiti Massacre, at Least 47 People Killed, Church Burned

'I Think We're in a War': Texas Pastors Gather for Training on Islamification Threat

Washington State School Searches Child's Backpack, Confiscates Bible

HUGE: President Trump Moves to Authorize Ranchers, Farmers to 'Process Their Own Food'

Treasury Sec. Bessent Set to Target George Soros Nonprofit, Southern Poverty Law Center And CAIR in Major Tax Crackdown: Sources

He Wasn't Joking: Trump Signs Order to Rename Lake Ontario

Canadian Broadcasters: Don't Call 9/11 a Terrorist Attack

Powerful Solar Flare Could Ignite Northern Lights as Lunar Eclipse Unfolds

Investigation Reveals Islamization of Girl Scout Troops is 'Nationwide'

'It Is an Admission': Meta to Pay $18 Billion to Settle Social Media Addiction Lawsuit

Democrat Officials Charged for Allegedly Scamming COVID Relief Funds

President Trump Declares National Emergency to Protect US Power Grid from Foreign Threats

Portland Antifa, HAMAS, and the IRGC Linked With Transnational Terror Networks, Rubio Takes Action

Judge Lifts Block on Trump's Mail-In Ballot Restrictions after Supreme Court Ruling

At Least 350 Killed, 65 Americans among 1,300 Missing in Horrific Nepal Flood

Trump Honors Dolly Parton: 'The World Loves You'

Dolly Parton's Cause of Death Revealed; More on Her Inspirational Life (Videos)

Prayer Alert: Nepal 'Wall of Mud, Rock and Water' Leaves Hundreds Missing Near Tibet Border with Many Feared Dead (Video)

Ken Paxton Unveils 'Texas First' Data Center Plan to Protect Grid, Communities