A study conducted among a quarter of a million men aged 50 and older has shown that the risk of depression is particularly increased by diet drinks. Consuming coffee assists in reducing the danger.
Constant consumption of sugar-sweetened and diet beverages was recently suggested to increase the chance of depression among men aged 50 and older, according to extensive observational research conducted in the United States. The study started in the mid-1990’s and involved 269,925 participants between the ages of 50 to 74, all of whom had not previously suffered from depression. After a decade of following their beverage habits, 11,311 of them were diagnosed as clinically depressed.
The results revealed that participants consuming 4 cups or 4 cans of a diet fruit-flavored beverage per day had a 51% increased risk of developing depression. However, the subjects who consumed the same amount of regular fruit juice had an only 8% increased risk. This was all compared to those reporting no fruit juice consumption. It was also found that subjects who consumed the same amount of diet sodas had a 31% increased chance of developing depression, as opposed to 22% in subjects who consumed regular sodas.
Examining the subjects who were used to consuming 4 cups or 4 cans of ice tea per day showed a somewhat different result. Those who consumed diet iced tea had a 25% increased chance of developing depression, while those who consumed regular iced tea actually decreased their chance by 6%. The research showed that even consuming coffee in an amount of 4 cups or more per day had a 9% decreased chance of developing depression. This was also compared to subjects who reported no coffee consumption.
The researchers suggested that reducing the consumption of sweetened drinks or replacing them with unsweetened coffee may help reduce the risk of developing depression. The study was led by Prof. Chen Honglei from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), supported by three government medical institutes in the USA: the NIH, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Prof. Honglei stated that other findings are needed to better understand the meaning of the study, which will be presented in full at the 2014 American Academy of Neurology Conference.
Can you drink coffee with creamer?
Hi, iamapps0205. If it wasn’t the root, it probably did not do you or your risk of diabetes any favors. If you can, perhaps consider cutting back gradually. If you can find something better to substitute it that you like as much, that would be ideal.
I’ve drunk Pepsi max for years, would this be the root course of my depression. I’m also diabetic type 2
Hi, moonsters. We don’t generally recommend fruit juices, unless they are made from blending fresh fruit and adding water. Water with lemon (or infused with other fruits) is excellent, and if you want it sweetened see our article here on recommended sweeteners: http://www.trimdownclub.com/the-best-way-to-sweeten-your-tea-2/.
what can you drink? any fruit juices? or water with lemon for favor
Hi, lyramattu. If that’s an improvement over you’re old habits, then yes.
How about Only one can of diet coke per day?
Hi, LizSena. You can make your own cola with plain soda water, a natural no- or lowncal sweetener such as monk fruit or xylitol, plus cola flavor extracts (you can order these online).
I have never liked tea or coffee or flavored water & I drink 6-8 cans of diet Pepsi a day I’m a diabetic so I stay away from sweet drinks & juices other than water if pop is so bad what other drinks would you suggest
Hi, hamilklh. Teas are excellent, both iced and hot. To read more about recommended sweeteners, see our article here: http://www.trimdownclub.com/the-best-way-to-sweeten-your-tea-2/. If you don’t mind lemon-lime soda, you can easily make your own by adding a good sweetener to a glass of plain carbonated/soda water, with squeezes of fresh lemon and/or lime juice to your taste.
I’m a 59 year old diabetic female – I drink between 2-3 diet cokes per day. If diet drinks are not good for you, besides water, what do you suggest I drink? I don’t typically like coffee.
Hi, cnygren. That’s pretty much it in a nutshell, though there are other sweeteners that are OK – you can read more about them here: http://www.trimdownclub.com/the-best-way-to-sweeten-your-tea-2/.
so what i’m hearing is use Stevia for a sweetner instead of sugar and don’t drink diet or regular soda?
For those who like occasional Powered sugar! I blended Stevia with a couple tsp of Cornstarch….don use it often, but excellent taste if desired…
Hi, Bernice. The acids and tannins in the tea are hard on the stomach lining for some people, but some of those same (and other) compounds work against inflammation in other parts of the body, such as the blood vessels and around belly fat, liver, etc. If you want to enjoy it, try adding a splash of milk – this can neutralize some of the more burning compounds. You can also get the benefits with out drinking it through standardized capsules of green tea extract. If you are interested in these, contact Customer Service (through the “Contact Us” link below), and they will help you.
I was drinking green tea every day. I was then told that green tea was bad for acid reflux so I stopped. Now I hear that green tea is good for inflammation. Question is the green tea good or bad.
Hi, Rockymil. The conference at which the results were presented just happened about a week ago. It will take time for it to be fully published. If you are interested, you can try contacting the lead author. However it does appear that he cam to the same conclusion as you.
Hi, Ruby. Stevia is great.
Whay about stevia, it’s supposed to be okay?
I also think diet drinks increase your cravings which depress me. I am sure there are other factors to consider in this study. Such as family history, age, and economic status. I think men over 50 are prone to depression for many other reasons. I would like to see more info on this study
I used to drink coffee when I was in my teens early 20s, I then went over to tea right up to a year or two ago, I now am drinking coffee again but only occ. I have noticed odd bits of depression now and again so I will stick with coffee awhile to see how things go.
Sugars, Sugars, Sugars. Save your study money.
so if your a diabetic diet pop and sweeteners are no good for you