Sugar, Caffeine and Depression

Sugar and caffeine both create drug effects in the body and can cause physical addiction. Sugar affects the opiate system which has a powerful impact on mood. At least one study has shown a significant link between sugar consumption and depression.

People suffering from depression report increases in anxiety with caffeine use.

Research

Peet, M. International variations in the outcome of schizophrenia and the prevalence of depression in relation to national dietary practices: an ecological analysis. The British Journal of Psychiatry (2004) 184: 404-408

The diets in New Zealand, Canada, Germany, France, USA, USSR, Taiwan and Japan were correlated with their rates of depression. The most consistent finding was that a greater consumption of refined sugar is associated with a greater prevalence of depression. Conversely, high intake of starchy roots was associated with a reduced prevalence of depression.

Carlo Colantuoni, Pedro Rada, Joseph McCarthy, Caroline Patten, Nicole M. Avena, Andrew Chadeayne,and Bartley G. Hoebel. Evidence That Intermittent, Excessive Sugar Intake Causes Endogenous Opioid Dependence Obes Res. 2002;10:478–488.

Intermittant excessive intake of sugar led to physical addtion in rats, marked by strong withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms could be triggered after high sugar doses by either fasting or an opiod blocker, Naloxone.

Lee MA, Flegel P, Greden JF, Cameron OG. Anxiogenic effects of caffeine on panic and depressed patients. Am J Psychiatry. 1988 May;145(5):632-5.

Found that people who have been diagnosed with depression report that caffeine makes them feel anxious at a level higher than people who are not feeling depressed.

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