Consuming high amounts of ultra-processed food and drinks could increase the risk of developing depression in women, new research suggests. The findings indicate this is especially true with the consumption of artificial sweeteners and artificially sweetened beverages, according to the study published Wednesday in the journal JAMA Network Open. The link between ultra-processed foods and depression remains unknown, according to the study. However, recent experimental data implies that artificial sweeteners evoke purinergic transmission in the brain, possibly leading to the development of depression. Read more at the link in our bio.