A new study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that for postmenopausal women, eating a diet high in refined carbohydrates may increase the chance of having a new-onset depression.

The research was conducted by Dr. James Gangwisch in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center. Together with his colleagues, they examined the medical data of almost 70,000 postmenopausal women who participated in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study by the National Institutes of Health between the years of 1994 to 1998. For a three-year span, a follow up interview was also conducted for the sample participants.

Dr. Gangwisch measured the amount of Glycemic Index (GI) of every participant. GI is the one that count the amount of sugar found in the blood after eating.

The study conveys that the higher the GI, the chances of developing depression also increases to 22 percent.

Although consuming food rich in carbohydrates naturally increase ones blood sugar level, eating highly refined carbohydrates such as white rice, white bread, sugar and junk foods will cause a hormonal response that affects the GI. This response will then be responsible for the change in women's mood that will eventually lead to fatigue and other depression symptoms.

Also, the study shows that for those postmenopausal women who consumed dietary fiber, whole grain, non-juiced fruits and vegetables in their diet lessen the chance of having a new-onset depression. This may suggest that diet control could be one of the best preventive measures in combating depression related illnesses.

In this connection, more study must be conducted in order to determine the appropriate treatments of the said illness. Meanwhile, Dr. Gangwisch also mentioned that further research is needed to evaluate if the same results can be generated when a larger population is involved in the aforementioned study.