Pasta And Depression Linked? Study Finds Carbs And Red Meat May Cause Mood Disorders
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Source: Latin Times
When one thinks of comfort food, pasta or its many derivatives often comes to find. But a new study from the Harvard School of Public Health debunks the idea that pasta can make you feel better. In fact, it finds the exact opposite. Published in the journal "Brain, Behavior, and Immunity," the new study has some groundbreaking findings that suggest that certain foods can play a role in making you clinically depressed.
When headline grabbing studies like these are released, many point out sample size and study length as a loophole for how valid the findings are. But the researchers in the pasta and depression study spent 12 years tracking over 43,000 women and their diets. Not a single subject had depression at the beginning of the study, but by the end, the picture was much different. The findings were clear cut: Women who ate fatty red meat, consumed refined grains (translation: pasta, white bread, chips and crackers) and drank soda were 29 to 41 percent more likely to be diagnosed for or treated for depression than their counterparts. Additionally, the women who consumed the foods mentioned also had higher biomarkers for inflammation.
This study builds on findings reported earlier this year from scientists at the University of Eastern Finland, which suggest that a healthy diet reduces the risk of severe depression. "The study reinforces the hypothesis that a healthy diet has potential not only in the warding off of depression, but also in its prevention," said Anu Ruusunen, MSc, to Science Daily, adding that foods that are associated with lower risk of depression include: vegetables, fruits, berries, whole-grains, poultry, fish and low-fat cheese. Science Daily reported that a "high consumption of sausages, processed meats, sugar-containing desserts and snacks, sugary drinks, manufactured foods, French rolls and baked or processed potatoes was associated with an increased prevalence of elevated depressive symptoms."
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Read more: http://www.latintimes.com/articles/9697/20131029/pasta-depression-linked-study-refined-grains-health.htm
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cheers me up.. ahem ie Medium Rare (even with the damn warning on it) Marriott Hotel in Des Moines the one in the old building.. had a warning on theirs. good god now I know why. Patty Melt in medium rare. took a bite and the blood burned my hand. oh god that was good. wow.
Because of lo carbs I cut down on my pasta. hasn't helped my depression much 
I enjoy eating pasta with a really garlicky marinara sauce. Then, I make myself happy by making people run away with my adult garlic breath. 
It totally blew me away to realize that bread, pasta and cereal could make me feel that shitty. Not to mention the GERD, the edema and the weight... I'm also now mostly veg, and stopped drinking alcohol at the same time. My body is telling me they are all good changes. Luckily there are so many other vices to fill the gap!
Just over a year of no smoking and almost completely cut out meat. I am now beating the carbs and everyday I feel better and better.
Just made another order for hemp protein powder and hemp oil. I have been on them for about 6 months and I just can't stop raving about them. 
I'm certainly depressed about that!
rocktivity
That made me laugh out loud.
people with no interest in life?
Red meat and/or simple carbs and/or soda (diet or sugared?) were mentioned, simple carbs included pasta and/or crackers and/or bread and/or chips; but I guess a headline suggesting that chips and diet soda are bad for you just isn't as interesting.
What was said about eggs, coffee, chocolate and many other foods and drinks.
Furthermore, women have a higher rate of depression than men. Short and long-term. As well as other mental health issue such as bipolar disorder. Why men weren't included in this study is beyond me.
That said, I don't eat much pasta nor do I drink sugary drinks of any kind (actually, I can't handle the sugar so that is a no-brainer for me). I have also recently become soda and caffiene-free. I'm physically healthy and have had a very successful career, but I still struggle with a mood disorder and depression. As do many more people than one might think. Therapy and medication help mitigate these mental health issues. Which, BTW, are barely covered by even the best insurance plans, if at all.
Other, more legitimate studies, indicate that depression and mood disorders are closely linked to childhood abuse - something rampant and all too often unspoken of in our society unless it makes headline national news outlets.
After many studies, it has been proven that brain chemistry and function are altered as a result of childhood abuse...sexual, physical and emotional. Fortunately, studies have also shown that the brain can be "re-trained," reconditioning its responses to a more functional and healthy state. Though it is a difficult undertaking for those who are even remotely aware of the possibility and work hard to do it. I want to see this become more widely known in order to give survivors hope for changes in their lives, even if only in a small way. Anything is better than nothing for these people. People like me.
http://www.theguardian.com/science/2012/feb/13/childhood-abuse-growth-brain-
http://healthland.time.com/2012/02/15/how-child-abuse-primes-the-brain-for-future-mental-illness/
IMO, this study is flaw from the get-go. Next, they will study how puppies and kittens cause depression and mental illness. Maybe even eating disorders, chemical abuse and alcoholism too. 
Many of the comments I have read here make light of this. But this type of misinformation, based on an uncontrolled study, is absurd and, to a large degree, harmful. Cut out the pasta and you'll be JUST FINE. Let me think now. What is pasta made from. Flour and eggs. If that is the so-called problem, people should throw out just about every bread product in their homes. Unless it is gluten-free. But then, maybe so. Did they add that to their study for comparison? Doubtful.
I throw the BS flag.
Did taxpayers fund this? If so, I want my money back!!!
Sorry for the length of this post. But this type of irks me to no end.
Rant over.
Sofie
ya think?
I finally COOKED something Sunday, it was a pasta dish the recipe I'd saved a while ago, haven't cooked in quite a while, so ate it Sunday and again Monday (adding Ital Sausage etc,) and after waking (late) today, and reading e-mail, felt/feel kind of down. But maybe that's because I had a message from attorney dealing with my husband's estate, and I had to make several contacts to obtain info for the estate tax submissions.
Waddya think, pasta, or estate taxes???
and most cattle are fed GMO corn. Hmmm...I'm sure this is just a coincidence.
Science Daily reported that a "high consumption of sausages, processed meats, sugar-containing desserts and snacks, sugary drinks, manufactured foods, French rolls and baked or processed potatoes was associated with an increased prevalence of elevated depressive symptoms."
All things in moderation. They key words seem to be "high consumption". A little pasta, bread, dessert, etc. is not the problem. It's overeating these foods what makes them unhealthy.
Interesting topic, though, so please consider reposting in GD, Good Reads or Health. Thanks! 