Five Everyday Foods That Can Sneakily Trigger Depression-Like Symptoms

The Invisible Enemy: Artificial Sweeteners

Slide 3 takes us through the invisible enemy present in our diet. Artificial sweeteners, marketed as a healthy alternative to sugar, aren't as innocent as they might seem. These substances can truly play tricks on our body. A study published in PLOS ONE linked the consumption of artificial sweeteners to an increased risk of depression.

Aspartame, one of the commonly used artificial sweeteners, can change the chemical balance within our brain by lowering the production of serotonin – a neurotransmitter linked predominantly with feelings of well-being and happiness. In this way, your diet soda might pull the trigger on depressive symptoms.