The silent connection: how lifestyle diseases and food labels affect your mental health

Beyond physical toll: discover how NCDs and ultra-processed foods are fueling a mental health crisis in the Philippines. 

No need to wait for January to improve your lifestyle: some of the habits you already have may cause life-changing damage sooner than you think. 

The holiday season brings about many gatherings with loved ones, and most tend to ease restrictive diets and practices to make way for these celebrations. As the saying goes, “minsan lang naman.”

But some vices and habits, when left unchecked, can lead to a lifetime of illness. Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), otherwise known as lifestyle diseases, make up eight out of the 10 leading causes of death in the country, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority, and studies estimate 11.6%, or one in 10 Filipinos experience some form of mental illness. 

As you contemplate the next year’s resolutions, radar explains how the food you eat can impact mental health and the future.

NCDs impact mental health and vice versa

The United Nations made a landmark declaration on Sept. 25, recognizing NCDs and mental health as interconnected issues requiring immediate solutions.

“Persons living with mental health conditions and neurological conditions [have] an increased risk of other noncommunicable diseases and therefore have higher rates of morbidity and mortality,” the UN declaration stated.

The World Health Organization describes NCDs as chronic diseases that “result [from] a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioral factors.”

These are otherwise known as “lifestyle” diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. “[NCDs] can be attributed to diets and lifestyle, or lack of activity,” said endocrinologist Patrick Abarquez.

While NCDs themselves can pose long-term health risks, they can also pave the way for additional complications. These conditions are largely irreversible or may require extensive and chronic treatment.

“Ang ayaw natin dito sa mga NCDs ‘yung long-term complication. Both hypertension and diabetes are major risk factors for developing M.I. or myocardial infarction (heart attack), stroke, and kidney disease,” internal medicine doctor John Anthony Duenas told radar.

Mental health complications are only one of many chronic conditions that may arise alongside NCDs.

Some lifestyle factors behind NCDs, such as excessive alcohol intake and tobacco use, tend to arise as a result of untreated mental health conditions. A 2009 WHO module found that a common manifestation of depression and anxiety among Filipino youth was ‘no control over the use of cigarettes and alcohol.’ Excessive, long-term abuse of these substances has been linked to heart disease, cancer, and respiratory ailments.

Neurological conditions such as chronic migraines and dementia are also considered NCDs. Though the reasons for their development can be genetic, excessive stress can also contribute to long-term mental issues.

Watch out for misleading food labels

Balanced eating and active lifestyle practices are generally advisable for good holistic health. In particular, the National Nutrition Council recommends fruits, vegetables, grains, and fresh meats high in vitamins and fatty acids to prevent neurological diseases and improve overall mental health.

The inverse is also true: unhealthy food can exacerbate mental health issues. Specifically, excessive intake of ultra-processed foods can pave the way for chronic health issues. 

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is a term coined by Brazilian epidemiologist Carlos Monteiro. This refers to food products that have been heavily chemically modified to prolong shelf life at a low cost. These include commercially processed meats such as hams and sausages, non-alcoholic drinks like soda and juice, chips, sweets, and other junk food. As a result, these products can be high in calories, fats, sugars, sodium, and other nutrients that may cause NCDs when taken in excessive amounts.

High consumption of ultra-processed food has been directly tied to increased risk of poor mental health, according to a 2024 study in the British Medical Journal. A 2011 study in the Appetite journal also found that intake of unhealthy food directly leads to more negative body image perceptions, especially among young women, which tends to open up mental health issues and potentially unhealthy lifestyle practices.

Often, the packaging and marketing of ultra-processed foods tend to distract from the lack of nutritional value. Labels that suggest health benefits often conceal some of the excessive sugar and sodium content, especially among children and parents. 

“Some information, such as serving size or nutrient content, can be misleading, especially since manufacturers can be aware that consumers don’t know what they mean. Sometimes, the values displayed are inaccurate,” said registered nutritionist-dietitian Iñigo Suguitan. 

Experts nonetheless recommend still checking nutrition facts and ingredients at the back of food products when faced with promising labels such as “all natural,” “sugar-free,” or “low fat.” Mindful purchasing is key amid these potentially misleading labels, for your future self will thank you later.

This story was produced with support from the Healthy Philippines Alliance and HealthJustice Philippines.

 

 

NCDs make up eight out of the 10 leading causes of death in the country, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority, and studies estimate 11.6% or one in 10 Filipinos experience some form of mental illness.

 

 

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