Library.

“Low vitamin B levels, low vitamin D levels, and low iron levels can contribute to symptoms that may be mistaken for depression.”

The evidence supports the claim’s core point. Low iron, low vitamin B levels—especially B12 and folate—and low vitamin D can be associated with fatigue, cognitive slowing, low mood, and related symptoms that overlap with depression. The main caveat is that this does not prove these deficiencies directly cause depressive disorder in every case.

“There is insufficient scientific evidence to conclude that depression is caused by neurotransmitter changes in the brain.”

Current evidence does not justify concluding that depression is caused by neurotransmitter changes alone. The strongest reviews find the classic serotonin/chemical-imbalance theory unproven, while major medical institutions describe depression as multifactorial and not fully understood. Neurotransmitters are involved in depression biology, but causation has not been established.

“Eating chocolate cures depression.”

The evidence does not support chocolate as a cure for depression. Some studies suggest small, short-term mood improvements from cocoa-rich products, but they do not show that eating chocolate resolves diagnosed depressive disorder or provides lasting clinical recovery. Major health authorities and systematic reviews do not endorse chocolate as a treatment for depression.

“Bipolar disorder is characterized by episodes of mania or hypomania and episodes of depression.”

This is a generally accurate description of bipolar disorder, but it is not a universal diagnostic rule. Major medical sources describe bipolar disorder as involving periods of mania or hypomania and depression, yet Bipolar I can be diagnosed without any prior depressive episode. The claim is best read as a broad characterization rather than a strict criterion.

“Use of Instagram is associated with increased tendencies for depression and anxiety in users.”

The weight of peer-reviewed evidence — including systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and experimental studies — does support an association between Instagram use and elevated depression and anxiety symptoms. However, the association is typically small, heterogeneous, and strongest among heavy or problematic users and specific subgroups such as adolescents and young women. Some rigorous longitudinal studies find no meaningful average association for typical users, and causation has not been established. The claim is directionally accurate but overstates how uniform the link is across all users.

“High sugar intake is associated with a 30% increased risk of developing depression.”

The claim overstates the evidence. A ~30–31% increased risk has been found specifically for sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, but the most comprehensive meta-analyses of overall sugar intake report a smaller association of roughly 21%. One prospective-cohort meta-analysis of total sugar found no statistically significant link at all. Presenting "30%" as the general figure for "high sugar intake" conflates a subgroup-specific finding with the broader scientific picture, and all results reflect associations, not proven causation.