NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) was linked to increased odds of depression and dementia in a new study.

Researchers divided mice into two groups:

Group 1 – ‘healthy’ diet.

Group 2 – unhealthy diet designed to mimic effect of eating high amounts of processed foods and sugary drinks.

Results: 16weeks later, the animals on the processed food diet were obese, insulin resistant, and had developed NAFLD, while the healthy diet animals remained healthy.

The mice with liver disease also had lower levels of oxygen in their brains, and showed signs of brain dysfunction (anxiety and depression).

These findings confirm previous research linking increased sugar intake with a greater risk of mental illness including depression.