The Alarming Link Between Western Diet and Depression: A Scientific Report

Scientists have proven that a Western-style diet, high in fat and sugar, causes significant harm to brain function and mental health. According to an international study published in Metabolites, this diet triggers depression, anxiety, and memory loss. A research team led by Belgorod State University found that the Western diet model, rich in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sugar, disrupts brain function and leads to serious mental health disorders. In a collaborative study by scientists from Russia, China, the Netherlands, France, and Germany, it was discovered that high-calorie diets damage the serotonin transporter protein in the brain. In a study where elderly female mice were fed a diet high in sugar and saturated fat for three weeks, abnormal behaviors such as decreased glucose tolerance, impulsivity, behavioral disorders, and helplessness were observed. The mice avoided exploring new environments, exhibited memory impairment, and remained motionless during helplessness tests. Experts emphasized that the study focused on aging female mice because the risk of metabolic and mental disorders is highest in postmenopausal women. They noted that changes in the SLC6A4 gene in humans also lead to serotonin deficiency, and since the basic biochemical mechanisms are shared, these findings are directly applicable to humans.