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Bad Food Makes Bad Moods Worse, Study Finds

Close-up of a cupcake with rainbow sprinkles

"Comfort food" may not be so comforting after all.

Researchers with Penn State University have found that consuming junk food does not help an already sour mood for women.

131 college-aged women who considered themselves very body conscious but without an eating disorder were told to monitor what they ate and their feelings.

What researchers discovered is that if a woman was already in a bad mood and ate junk food, she felt worse about herself. If she was in a good mood, however, her mood remained good.

It wasn't simply unhealthy food that worsened women's moods, but unhealthy habits also, like binge eating.

Researchers are hoping the study can aid future treatment for eating disorders.

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