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HOW PROCESSED FOOD HARMS YOUR MOOD
BBC Science Focus
|March 2023
Mental health problems are on the rise. Yet there is growing evidence that the food we eat may be a vital ingredient to help us feel better

The debate on the impact of food on health is something of a contact sport. Food is so deeply imbued with personal and cultural meaning that it can be difficult to remain objective. Food is complex, and increasingly so. While a little over 60 years ago you might have been able to choose from a glass of orange juice, orange cordial or orange soda, you can now also opt for an orange-flavoured energy drink, orange-f lavoured vitamin water, orange-favoured protein water, orange-flavoured water with added magnesium…
Modern food processing has certainly given us more options, but what do we know about the impact of these processed foods on our mental health?
This story is from the March 2023 edition of BBC Science Focus.
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