Experts Warn Frequent Fried Food Intake May Trigger Depression, Anxiety

Nutritionists are raising concerns over the mental health risks associated with regularly eating fried foods, warning that such diets may increase the likelihood of depression and anxiety.

Speaking with PUNCH Healthwise, experts explained that fried foods contain harmful substances like acrylamide, a chemical formed when starchy foods are cooked at high temperatures. Acrylamide is believed to harm brain health and has been linked to mood disorders.

Nutritionist Similoluwa Olorunleke explained that fried foods, typically high in saturated fats, not only contribute to obesity and heart disease but also affect brain function and emotional stability. “Fried food intake can lead to conditions like hyperlipidaemia and atherosclerosis, which may result in ischemic stroke—health issues that also negatively affect mental health,” she said.

She added that these foods can make people feel less full, encouraging overeating, which is also associated with increased anxiety and depression. “There’s a strong connection between food and mood,” she noted. “Changes in eating habits are often one of the first signs of mental distress.”

Olorunleke advocated for healthier cooking practices that preserve nutrients, such as grilling, baking, or steaming, and emphasized the importance of diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fibre, and plant-based foods.

Supporting this view, dietitian and "Nutripreneur" Deborah Onoja noted that fried foods are not only harmful to mental health but can also increase the risk of cancers such as prostate, breast, and colorectal.

She advised the use of healthier oils like olive or avocado oil, portion control, and incorporating more whole foods—fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains—into daily meals.

“Fried meals are often high in calories, fat, and sodium—all factors linked to obesity, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular diseases, which also influence mental well-being,” Onoja explained. She stressed the importance of a balanced lifestyle: moderating fried food intake, staying active, staying hydrated, sleeping well, and seeking professional guidance when needed.

Backing up these expert opinions is a long-term study by researchers at Zhejiang University in China, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Over 11 years, researchers tracked over 140,000 people and found that frequent consumers of fried foods, especially fried potatoes, were 12% more likely to develop anxiety and 7% more likely to suffer from depression.

The study pointed to acrylamide as a key culprit, linking it to neuroinflammation and disrupted metabolism, both of which can damage mental health.

Punch

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