Foods high in refined carbohydrates like white bread, sugar sodas and snacks would not increase your weight, but they have been found to increase depression risk among post-menopausal women.

Study’s lead researcher Dr. James Gangwisch and colleagues from Columbia University Medical Center assessed the data of more than 70,000 post-menopausal women from the National Institutes of Health's Women's Health Initiative Observational Study carried out between 1994 and 1998.

The study researchers studied factors like dietary glycemic index, glycemic load, types of carbohydrates consumed, and depression data among the study participants. The index reveals the amount of sugar present in blood after eating the food.

High dietary GI scores and consumption of food high in refined carbohydrates were found to be associated with an increased risk of depression among post-menopausal women. On the other hand, women who consumed more of fruits, dairy products, dietary fiber, whole grains and vegetables had a reduced risk of depression.

High consumption of refined sugar and carbohydrates also increases risk for inflammation and cardiovascular disease. “Although our study only included post-menopausal women, the theorized mechanisms by which a diet high in refined carbohydrates could lead to depression would apply to other populations as well”, stated Gangwisch.

Though the research was observational, it also opens the possibility for dietary interventions to treat or prevent depression. More research is needed to assess the new options for treatment and prevention.