According to a recent study, individuals with a "Sweet-tooth" have a greater risk of developing depression—along with a range of other health condition—compared to those with healthier eating patterns.

In study, published in the Journal of Translational Medicine, investigators analyzed results from a food preference questionnaire completed by over 180,000 UK Biobank participants. Investigators used artificial intelligence (AI) to identify dietary patterns and the impact of those trends on health outcomes and blood biomarkers. Food preferences and participants were classified into three main profiles: Health-conscious, Omnivore, and Sweet-tooth.

The study's key findings associated with the Sweet-tooth profile, which was characterized by a high preference for sugary foods and sweetened beverages, showed this group faced a 31% higher risk of depression, an increased risk of diabetes, and a greater likelihood of experiencing a stroke compared to those in the Health-conscious and Omnivore groups.

In contrast, the Health-conscious group, with its preference for fruits and vegetables, demonstrated a 14% reduced risk of heart failure, and a 30% reduction in the risk of chronic kidney disease, compared to the Sweet-tooth and Omnivore groups. This group also had lower levels of inflammatory biomarkers and higher levels of beneficial proteins, such as insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins (IGFBP) and ketone bodies.

Despite the strong associations revealed, the study did not directly observe actual food intake, and causality between dietary preferences and health outcomes remains unconfirmed. The investigators highlighted that food preferences, coupled with biomarkers, offer insight into chronic disease risk, but genetic factors and other influences were not considered in this study. These findings suggest the potential for integrating food choices into personalized chronic disease management strategies, they noted.  

Investigators further noted longitudinal studies across diverse populations are also necessary to confirm the causal links between dietary preferences and health outcomes, which could be “essential for confirming the influence of dietary preferences on health promotion and disease prevention.”

Authors reported no conflicts of interest.