Carbohydrate Attack

Researchers from the department of psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Centre (CUMC) have warned that consuming foods rich in refined carbohydrates may cause mood changes, fatigue and other symptoms of depression in postmenopausal women. Foods such as white bread and white rice have refined carbohydrates. Refined carbohydrates contain high glycemic index.

The research was undertaken by the US National Institutes of Health's Women's Health Initiative Observational Study between 1994 and 1998 in which more than 70,000 postmenopausal women participated. Scientists reported that consuming food rich in refined carbohydrates triggers hormonal response that affects glycemic index which exacerbates a woman’s mood and triggers fatigue as well as other depression symptoms.

The study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggested that consumption of dietary fibre, whole grains, vegetables and non-juice fruits can reduce the risk of depression.