Five Everyday Foods That Can Sneakily Trigger Depression-Like Symptoms

Saturated in Sadness: Trans Fats

In Slide 5, we uncover trans fats, most commonly found in fast foods, packaged snacks, and baked goods. Yale University research demonstrated that ingestion of trans fats could lead to emotion dysregulation, thereby inducing symptoms of depression. This is because trans fats increase LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and decrease HDL (“good”) cholesterol, leading to inflammation and oxidative stress, known contributors to depression.

By understanding the under-discussed impact of trans fats, we can aim for a more balanced diet that fosters, not hinders, our mental health.