Eating ultra-processed foods has this weird effect on your brain

Ultra-processed food is a term we’re probably all familiar with: junk food that has very little to no nutritional value. More specifically, the term refers to “industrial formulations of food substances (oils, fats, sugars, starches, and protein isolates) that contain little or no whole foods and typically contain flavorings, colors, emulsifiers, and other cosmetic additives,” according to a new study, who discovered that these foods are bad for our brains.

Presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in San Diego this week, the study highlighted how these foods are linked to cognitive decline.

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The study’s findings are concerning because ultra-processed foods can be easily packaged and disguised as healthy, especially since they’re convenient and can save people a lot of time, including frozen meals, hot dogs, ice cream, bread and crackers, and more.

Researchers in Brazil studied 10,000 middle-aged and older adults and found that those who got over 20% of their calories from processed foods experienced a faster decline in cognitive function. In America, where the diet is made up of 58% ultra-processed foods, this is of great concern.

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Previous studies have linked ultra-processed foods to a variety of diseases, from obesity to cardiovascular disease. This new study focused on the effect of food on the mind and found that inflammation was the culprit.

“That’s because they cause inflammation, which can affect neurotransmitters in the brain. Processed foods also act at the micro level, with billions and billions of bacterial cells working (impairing) their function,” Rafael Perez-Escamilla, a professor of public health at Yale University, told USA Today.

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Highly processed foods are a serious problem in the US because they are cheaper and more accessible than a large number of healthy whole foods. They have a longer shelf life and are easier to cook, becoming a convenient option for people who don’t have time to cook or are simply looking for cheaper options.

Still, it’s important for people to know this information about these types of foods, bearing in mind that they take a toll in the long run and rob you of years of health.