The Dangers of Processed Food

Evening Activity for Better Sleep

Hey there, welcome to another edition of The Healthy Habits! I hope you're all feeling as healthy and energetic as you aim to be. If the week has left you a bit drained, don't worry – we're here to help each other stay on track towards our wellness goals.

Todays Healthy Habits:

  • The dangers of processed food

  • New clues point towards how exercise reduces symptoms of depression

Healthy Fact of the Day: Your sense of smell can influence your appetite and cravings! Studies show that certain scents, like vanilla or citrus, can reduce hunger and help with portion control. So, next time you're feeling hungry, try inhaling a refreshing scent to help curb those cravings!

The Dangers of Processed Food

Processed foods are defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as any raw agricultural product that has been altered from its natural state through methods like crushing, heating, or freezing. These foods fall into four categories: unprocessed or minimally processed, processed culinary ingredients, processed foods, and ultraprocessed foods. A high consumption of processed and ultraprocessed foods is linked to higher risks of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, cancer, and early death. Nonetheless, consuming these foods occasionally is generally not harmful if balanced with a healthy diet.

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Health & Fitness

New clues point towards how exercise reduces symptoms of depression

Researchers at UCL have explored how physical exercise alleviates depressive symptoms by examining the brain and body's processes.

They found that while depression disrupts learning and memory and involves elevated inflammation and disrupted dopamine transmission, exercise may counter these effects by reducing inflammation, enhancing dopamine function, and boosting motivation.

In a recent review published in Translational Psychiatry, the team proposed that the antidepressant effects of exercise might be linked to increased motivation, which helps combat symptoms like anhedonia and low energy.

Dr. Emily Hird, lead author, suggests that aerobic exercise reduces inflammation and improves dopamine transmission, thereby enhancing motivation.

The researchers hope their findings will aid in developing personalized exercise programs and call for further trials to test their hypothesis and address potential barriers to exercise for people with depression.