Changes in diet over the past 60 years linked to increased mental illness

CHANGES in diet caused by new food production methods have led to a sharp increase in mental problems, according to a new study.

In a report published yesterday, the Mental Health Foundation in Britain has linked changes in the diet over the past 60 years to increased mental health problems such as depression, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers said dependence on processed food, ready meals and takeaways which are heavy in pesticides, additives and harmful trans fats, could be damaging our mental health. The report, Feeding Minds: The Impact of Food on Mental Health, argues that what we eat plays an important role in maintaining our mental health and a diet lacking in fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, pulses or nuts deprives the brain of essential vitamins and nutrients.