When "Sugar Blues" hit the bookstores in 1986, it blew the whistle on America's addiction to sugar and the health harms it causes. But almost 40 years later, adults in this country are still downing about 60 pounds of added sugar a year, and research is continually uncovering health hazards that added sweetness causes.

A recent study in JAMA Network Open revealed that chronically elevated blood glucose increases your risk for depression by 30% and anxiety by 15%.

But a healthy HDL cholesterol level of 40 mg/dL or higher boosts your protection from depression and anxiety by 12%. (You can achieve that by ditching saturated fats, red and processed meats, and added sugars.)

That is backed up by a new study that looked at data on 180,000 people and found that those who had a sweet tooth were 31% more likely to have depression — as well as higher rates of diabetes and cardiovascular conditions — compared to very or moderately healthy eaters.

If you're feeling anxious or depressed, banish the blues by cutting out added sugars and syrups. And if you opt for a touch of added sweetness, consider using allulose, a plant-derived sweetener that isn't well absorbed and doesn't boost glucose levels or add calories like other sweeteners.

And if you get 30-60 minutes of physical activity daily, as well as taking a walk 15 minutes after eating your last (light) meal of the day, your mood may soar.