Depressing news for chocolate-loving men

EATING chocolate could make men anxious and depressed, according to a study that found sugar can affect mood.

Scientists found that men who consumed more than 67g of sugar per day increased their risk of mood disorders by more than a fifth compared with those with an intake of less than 39.5g.

Since the average British man has a 68.4g per day sugar habit, the findings do not bode well for the mental health of the UK male population.

The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, ruled out the possibility that unhappy men were just comforting themselves with sugary treats.

Lead researcher Anika Knuppel, from University College London’s Institute of Epidemiology and Health, said: “High-sugar diets have a number of influences on our health, but our study shows that there might also be a link between sugar and mood disorders, particularly among men.

“There are numerous factors… but having a diet high in sugary foods and drinks might be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. There is increasing evidence for the physical damage sugar has on our health. Our work suggests an additional mental health effect.”

The findings are based on data from Whitehall II, a major study on the health of UK civil service workers.