Recent studies conducted in the United States involving a sample of over 250,000 people, have revealed a possible link between the consumption of diet drinks and the onset of depression.
The research found that proneness of experiencing depression was significantly higher amongst people who regularly drank products with artificial sweeteners. The study has also shed more light on the psychological impact of drinking caffeine, as those within the sample who regularly drank coffee – were found to be less prone to depression. However those who drank four or more cans or glasses of artificially sweetened drinks often labelled as products that can assist in dieting, on a daily basis – were more at risk of experiencing depression by a third.
Whilst the research produced interesting findings, the team led by Dr Honglei Chen, of the National Institute of Health, based in North Carolina felt that more studies needed to be conducted in order to determine the range of other factors and risks that may be at play – as the living and social conditions of the sample experienced by the sample in the United States may be different to other regions in the world.
The safety of artificial ingredients such as aspartame has been a source of some controversy for several years, with several brands limiting its use in their products. Despite this, the British Diabetic Associations has asserted that artificial-sweeteners used in the majority of drinks products are subjected to thorough and regular health-checks, and those that reach the market are considered to be safe. The association has also expressed that the use of diet-products can actually have a beneficial impact upon health and wellbeing, as they fulfil a crucial role in calorie-controlled diets, and are used by people to lose weight and thereby avoid the onset of chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
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