Shocking Study Will Have You Swearing Off Fries
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted June 11, 2023
Put down that fast food bag.
And step away from the French fries.
I promise, you’re going to want to read this BEFORE you take another bite.
Because those foods could be doing FAR worse than just adding to your muffin top and thunder thighs.
In fact, this new research might have you swearing off French fries forever.
A growing number of studies link poor diet to overall poor mental health.
That’s not a huge surprise. After all, ignoring your body’s nutritional needs for too long causes a cascade of diseases that, frankly, make you feel terrible.
But researchers decided to drill down even further to see if they could connect SPECIFIC foods to mental health issues. And what they found was a bit of a shock.
The team combed through data on 140,728 people, searching for links between the foods folks ate and their mental or emotional state.
After some careful number crunching, they found eating FRIED FOODS was associated with a significantly higher (seven to 12 percent) risk of depression and anxiety.
According to the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the WORST offender was French fries.
But it turns out the true culprit is a compound IN those fries called acrylamide. This processed food contaminant is formed when foods (especially potatoes) are fried.
In animal studies, acrylamide was linked to decreased sociability and increased anxiety and depression. And the compound’s effect on the brain is likely why.
The blood-brain barrier is a grouping of cells in the brain that acts as a guard, blocking out harmful substances. But acrylamide can open the barricade enough to slip through.
When this boundary fails, molecules that shouldn’t be there enter the brain, setting off inflammation. And brain inflammation is strongly linked to anxiety and depression.
This was an observational study, of course. So more research is needed to solidify this connection. But remember, where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire.
Lucky for us, the SOLUTION is simple. Avoid fried foods and steer clear of fried potatoes, such as French fries.
If you’re ALREADY battling depression or anxiety, you can give your brain a little extra support with the proper nutrients.
Following are my top suggestions:
- Magnesium: I generally recommend taking 400 mg of magnesium a day. Magnesium, isn’t just good for your brain either. This multitasking mineral is great for your heart and muscles too.
- Fish Oil: The brain needs good fats to function efficiently. Omega-3-rich fish oil is a natural inflammation fighter that supports brain, heart, and lung health.
- Fight Inflammation: The brain is especially susceptible to inflammation which can trigger depression. The herbs curcumin and bacopa naturally ease inflammation, supporting good brain health.
- Get good sleep: Prioritize sleep by aiming for at least eight hours of quality, uninterrupted sleep. For some folks, that can be a tall order. So if you have trouble with sleep, consider slumber-supporting melatonin or theanine.
- Exercise: When you’re feeling low, finding the motivation to exercise can be challenging. Push yourself to do something active every day anyway. Studies show exercise can ease depression.
P.S. No one is perfect all the time. So the next time you indulge in fast food, you might want to protect yourself. According to researchers, THIS “nutrient knight” can help protect you from processed food damage.
Source:
“High fried food consumption impacts anxiety and depression due to lipid metabolism disturbance and neuroinflammation,” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2023). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2221097120
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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