Consuming large amounts of ultra-processed foods could be linked to depression, according to a new study published in the Journal JAMA. Ultra-processed foods are usually high in salt, sugar, hydrogenated fats and additives. This includes ice cream, sausages, crisps, biscuits and soda. The study looked at the eating habits and mental health of more than 31,000 female nurses as part of the Nurses’ Health Study II, a long-term research project on various aspects of women’s health. To better understand the links between depression and foods, researchers started the study before participants reported any symptoms of depression and then followed them over time. This allowed the team to make a connection between a person’s diet and their mental health. Results showed women who consumed over nine portions a day of ultra-processed foods had a 50 per cent higher risk of developing depression than those consuming four portions or less. Participants who consumed a high amount of foods and drinks that contained artificial sweeteners had a particularly negative outcome, the study found. "Participants with high UPF intake had greater BMI, higher smoking rates, and increased prevalence of comorbidities like diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia and were less likely to exercise regularly," the study said. “Experimental studies have shown that artificial sweeteners may trigger the transmission of particular signalling molecules in the brain that are important for mood,” the authors continued. Professor Andrew Chan, chief of the clinical and translational epidemiology unit at Massachusetts General Hospital and co-author of the research, said: “The strength of our study is that we were able to assess diet several years before the onset of depression,” according to The Guardian. “This minimises the likelihood that our findings are simply due to individuals with depression being more likely to choose ultra-processed foods.” In a 2022 study, researchers linked ultra-processed food and cognitive decline. CNN reported that the study found eating those foods may affect parts of the brain that control executive function — such as the ability to process information and make decisions. The research also found that men and women who ate the most ultraprocessed foods had a cognitive decline rate 28 per cent faster than those who did not eat those foods. They also had a 25 per cent faster decline rate of their executive functions than their peers who did not eat ultraprocessed foods. What are the symptoms of depression? According to the Cleveland Clinic, some of the symptoms of depression include: Feeling very sad, hopeless or worried. Not enjoying things that used to bring joy. Being easily irritated or frustrated. Eating too much or too little — which may result in weight gain or weight loss. Trouble sleeping (insomnia) or sleeping too much (hypersomnia). Having low energy or fatigue. Having a difficult time concentrating, making decisions or remembering things. Experiencing physical issues like headache, stomachache or sexual dysfunction. Having thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Read More Yoghurt could be the cure for bad garlic breath, study finds Study finds link between ultra-processed food and cognitive decline

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A majority of the human body is made up of water, which is why staying hydrated so important. It can be confusing to determine how much the average person should drink in a day, especially in situations like when it’s hot outside or when you’re exercising. There are even consequences to not drinking the right amount of water, such as dehydration or overhydration. The National Health Service (NHS) typically recommends drinking between six to eight glasses of fluid, including water, every day. But the US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is 15.5 cups (3.7 litres) per day for men and 11.5 cups (2.7 litres) per day for women. However, this fluid intake accounts for drinking plain water as well as other beverages and food that contain water, like fruits and vegetables. The amount of water one should be drinking each day can also vary depending on the situation. According to the Mayo Clinic, those who are working out should be drinking extra water before, during, and after a period of exercise. This especially goes for any activity that makes you sweat, because drinking water helps replenish the fluid your body lost. People in hot or humid weather should be drinking more water than usual because of how much they’re sweating, which contributes to fluid loss. Meanwhile, in areas with higher altitudes like the mountains, dehydration can become more common. The Mayo Clinic suggests that people lose bodily fluids when they have a fever, are vomiting, or have diarrhoea. As such, it’s important that people are consuming extra water when they’re sick. Other conditions that might require increased fluid intake include bladder infections and urinary tract stones. Feeling thirsty and passing dark-coloured, strong-smelling urine are some of the initial signs that you could be dehydrated. Other symptoms include feeling sluggish, feeling light headed, or having a dry mouth. Drinking milk, water, and fruit juice is also a good way to maintain hydration. However, people should bear in mind the amount of sugar that can be contained in sweetened drinks. Tea and coffee may also help with hydration, though people should try to keep track of how much caffeine they’re consuming. While it’s important to know whether you’re drinking enough water, the Mayo Clinic suggests it’s likely that nothing is wrong with someone’s water intake if they rarely feel thirsty and their urine is clear, or a light yellow colour. It is possible to drink too much, however, it’s rarely a problem for someone with healthy kidneys. Still, overhydration can occur when the body retains or collects too much water. Some athletes who participate in endurance events, especially marathon runners, can be prone to taking on too much fluid. This can lead to water intoxication and dangerously low sodium levels, which is referred to as hyponatraemia. In order to help the body to relieve itself of excess water, as well as relieve pressure on the heart and other organs, doctors may prescribe diuretics or water tablets that promote the production of urine. Read More Irina Shayk reveals how she and Bradley Cooper make co-parenting daughter Lea ‘work’ What is silent reflux? Salon owner with incurable cancer who lost hair in treatment makes customisable wigs

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The ability to be open, honest, and unapologetically himself — loudly, proudly and in public — is Lil Nas X’s superpower. It’s the reason he’s hailed as one of the most important pop stars of his generation, and it’s in moments of openness when his documentary film Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero shines. The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) Saturday night, and it explores how Nas X’s extraordinary singularity isn’t just because he came out as gay at the height of his rise to fame, but that he continuously shares what coming out has meant for him — the challenges, joys, fears, and all, and the impact it’s had on his fans.