Exercise can counteract depression symptoms induced by junk food diet, suggest researchers

People eating more junk food can counteract its ill effects on mental health by cardio exercises such as running, according to an animal study.

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Researchers at University College Cork in Ireland identified specific metabolic pathways through which exercise counteracts the negative behavioural effects of consuming a Western-style diet.

The research demonstrated that voluntary running exercise can mitigate depression-like behaviours induced by high-fat, high-sugar diets associated with both circulating hormones and gut-derived metabolites.

“The findings provide crucial insights into how lifestyle interventions might be optimised to support mental health in an era of widespread ultra-processed food consumption,” said Professor Yvonne Nolan from the varsity.