India, Sept. 26 -- Mental health and physical health are interconnected in more ways than one. So what's on your diet affects how you feel, too. Often, alcohol is commonly associated with affecting your mood.

But did you know, a relatively common, non-alcoholic drink affects your mood too, increasing risks of depression, particularly in women. Drinks are usually at the centre of social gatherings, acting as a social lubricant, but not all beverages are harmless, even your regular non-alcoholic ones.

A recent German study published in the JAMA Network on September 24, 2025, showed that increased soft drink consumption is related to depression diagnosis. But do you know what's tying them together? Gut microbiome. In hindsight, it highligh...