Depression and too much sugar in soft drinks have a lot to do with each other: this is how it works

You probably already knew that sugary soda is bad for your teeth and your weight. But a new German study suggests that all that sugary water can also affect your mental health. Women who regularly drink cola or lemonade appear to have a higher risk of developing depression.

Researchers analyzed data from nearly a thousand adults. They found that women who drank a lot of soda were 17 percent more likely to be diagnosed with depression. Not only that, but the severity of their symptoms was also higher than in women who drank little or no soda. No such correlation was found in men.

The explanation likely lies in your gut. Researchers found a strikingly high level of a specific bacterium in the intestines of women with high soda consumption: Eggerthella. Previous studies have linked this bacterium to depression. Want to know more about your gut and gut flora? Watch the video above.

It appears that sugar and additives in soft drinks disrupt the gut's balance, allowing bad bacteria to overrun and potentially triggering inflammatory processes in the nervous system. This could contribute to depressed mood.

Why this effect was only observed in women remains a mystery. Hormones or differences in the immune system may play a role. The researchers emphasize that further research is needed.

According to scientists, the research opens new doors: perhaps probiotics or nutritional interventions could help alleviate depressive symptoms in the future. For now, the message is simpler: watch your sugar intake, especially in the form of soda. Small adjustments in your eating and drinking habits can make a big difference for your body and mind in the long run.