Study: Healthy eating fights depression

LOS ANGELES In a new study, British researchers compared two groups of people: those who ate a diet largely based on "whole" foods with a second group who mainly ate fried food, processed meat, high-fat dairy products and sweetened desserts.

Taking into account external factors such as smoking and exercise, they found those who ate whole foods had a 26-percent lower risk of depression than those who ate mostly processed foods. People who had a diet heavy in processed food had a 58 percent higher risk of depression.

Doctors say fresh, whole foods are packed with protective anti-oxidants, and fish contains polyunsaturated fatty acids that stimulate brain activity.