Could soda be making your depression worse?

Could soda be making your depression worse? Maybe, according to this new study published in JAMA Psychiatry, which looked at soft drink consumption and the gut microbiome in almost a thousand German people. The authors notes this effect has been observed elsewhere and seems to be absent in high sugar solid foods, so only occurs with consumption of high sugar liquids, like soda. Rodent models of depression show similar effects too, and this seems to be mediated by several different specific microorganisms that can disrupt the gut microbiome, leading to inflammation and more. In this study they linked it to Eggerthella, a bacteria found in the gut and associated with various illnesses like ulcerative colitis or abscesses. Even more interestingly, this depressive effect seemed only to occur in women. From a nutritional perspective, it is generally a good idea to steer clear of soft drinks, and instead aim for water. Coffee or tea is another option (and has a lot of health benefits), as long as you can avoid caffeine exposure in the afternoon so it does not disrupt sleep.

Soft Drink Consumption and Depression Mediated by Gut Microbiome Alterations
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/2839019