Clinical depression is an illness that is complicated in its structure. It is one of the leading disorders experienced worldwide, with over 300 million people globally who have been diagnosed with this disorder. Depression causes individuals to lose interest in life and it is a disorder that can last for years. Research is proving that many factors can bring about its symptoms, including what we eat. Depression can be a sign that the body is unregulated and unhealthy. 
There are a number of foods that depression patients should avoid, such as:

1. Caffeine

Caffeine is an addictive chemical and we enjoy its effect on coffee daily. Unfortunately, it is attributed to feelings of nervousness, anxiety, and depression, especially when we try to wean ourselves from it. Caffeine also makes you feel jittery and will increase your heart rate.

2. Artificial sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners are additives that affect the neurons of the brain contributing to depression. Its chemicals can cause hormonal weakness to our cells, plus it does not digest well in the body. Drinking beverages sweetened with artificial additives can cause weight gain that leads to emotional depression.

3. Processed and fast foods

Processed foods consumed daily could lead to inflammation within the body that increases the likelihood of depression. Fast food products and other processed foods contain gluten, herbicides, and artificial coloring, all of which negatively affects the brain, moods, causes inflammation, and can promote clinical depression.

4. Carbonated drinks

Daily consumption of soda or caffeinated carbonated drinks has been shown to contain refined sugars, artificial sweeteners, and preservatives. Carbonated drinks have shown a link to depression including weight gain, blood sugar increases, and more health problems.

5. Alcohol

Copious amounts of alcohol depresses the central nervous system. Just like drinking caffeine-infused drinks, if you try to stop drinking alcohol, you can slip into depression and experience anxiety during withdrawal.

Foods containing protein, vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, B-12, and folate are mood stabilizing foods that help to energize the brain and body. The mood stabilizing foods that include these ingredients include:

• Beans
• Beef liver
• Berries
• Dark chocolate
• Eggs
• Green tea
• Nuts
• Oatmeal
• Oily fish
• Olive oil
• Seeds
• Shellfish
• Soy
• Turkey
• Veggies
• Whole grains
• Yogurt

Emotional events in life can cause us to experience depression. However, if we understand that our diet can also cause symptoms of clinical depression, then it is important to know which foods to avoid. In summary, mood altering foods like sugar and white starches can cause our blood sugar to go down.

This means that our emotions will rise and fall when we eat lots of junk foods. The science behind food and our mood is a simple equation: diet affects the brain and our body chemistry that leads to behavioral changes.