Yes, ultra-processed food is very bad for your and your family’s health. You should avoid it at all costs. Read this article to better understand about ultra-processed food and recent study about it. We all eat processed food, and ready-to-eat meals and frozen pizza make our lives easier. They also taste good. Who doesn’t like to have a variety of sweet and salty snacks, including ice cream, hot dogs, french fries, cakes, and sodas?
Almost two-thirds of the calories that children and teens consume are processed food, and this type of food has been linked to a higher risk of cognitive decline. According to a new study, eating more than 20% of your daily calories from Ultra-processed food could raise your risk of developing cognitive decline.
The study, which was published in the journal JAMA Neurology, found that eating high levels of processed food has a negative effect on the part of the brain that’s involved in making decisions. Men and women who consumed the most Ultra-processed food had a 25% faster decline in executive function and a 28% faster rate of cognitive impairment.
High levels of salt, fat, and sugar in processed food products can promote inflammation in the body, which is considered one of the main threats to healthy aging, according to Dr. Tanzi, who is a neurology professor at Harvard Medical School.
Besides reducing the risk of chronic diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, eating a diet rich in plant fiber can also help maintain a healthy balance in the gut microbiome, which is important for brain health.
Although the study was not designed to prove that Ultra-processed food causes cognitive decay, it did suggest that these products could be contributing to the development of this condition. Dr. David Katz, a nutrition and preventive medicine specialist, said that although the evidence is not yet conclusive, it is possible to conclude that these products are harmful to our brains.
The results of the study revealed that if the diet was high in unprocessed, whole grains, vegetables, and protein, the link between cognitive decline and Ultra-processed food consumption disappeared. According to Katz, the presence of these products in the diet could be an indicator of poor quality. He also noted that the link between cognitive decline and diet quality could disappear if the individual’s overall health was good.
The results of the study suggested that although some people managed to reduce their consumption of Ultra-processed food, the link between the consumption and cognitive decline remained. For individuals who consume more than 20% of their daily caloric intake from processed food, the risk of cognitive decline is increased.
A lot of Ultra-processed foods
For the study, researchers analyzed data on over 10,000 individuals from Brazil. Half of the participants were women, while the average age was 51. They performed cognitive testing, which involved verbal fluency, word recognition, and immediate and delayed word recall. The participants were also asked about their diet.
In Brazil, Ultra-processed food products make up around 25% to 30% of the total caloric intake, and the country has fast food outlets such as McDonald’s and Burger King. According to Claudia Suemoto, an associate professor at the University of So Paulo’s medical school, the country is similar to other Western countries in that it consumes a lot of white bread and chocolate.
Suemoto noted that Americans consume almost half of the calories they consume. On the other hand, British citizens consume almost 60% of their calories. Almost half of the calories that Canadians consume come from Ultra-processed food. Reduce your risk for dementia by improving your diet and boosting activity levels, studies say.
Reduce dementia risk with these food and activity choices
The term Ultra-processed food refers to industrial formulations that are typically made up of less than whole grains, oil, and sugar. It also includes various cosmetic additives such as emulsifiers, colorings, and flavorings. The study noted that the individuals who consumed the most Ultra-processed food were more likely to be younger, have higher income, and have never smoked.
Not just your brain is affected
Ultra-processed food is already known to increase the risk of various chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. It can also lead to a shorter life span and higher levels of obesity. According to Katz, who is the founder and president of the True Health Initiative, the consumption of these products is detrimental to everyone.
Ultra-processed foods are cheap and easily available, but slowly they are killing you
Ultra-processed food products are known to increase the risk of various chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. They can also lead to a shorter life span and higher levels of obesity. Dr. Tanzi, who was not involved in the study, noted that the consumption of these products can cause inflammation throughout the body.
According to Tanzi, the consumption of Ultra-processed food products can also increase the risk of various chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. They can also lead to a shorter life span and higher levels of obesity. She noted that these products are convenient to eat, but they can also replace food that is high in plant fiber.
What you can do?
If you plan on adding Ultra-processed food to your diet, then you should try to avoid these by eating high-quality, whole food products. According to Katz, the consumption of Ultra-processed food is an important ingredient, but the exposure that should be focused on is the quality of the food that you eat. One simple way to ensure that your food is made from scratch is to prepare it yourself.
Doing it takes little time, as it can protect your heart and prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. According to Suemoto, the best advice is to avoid buying processed food products.
Conclusion
I hope after going through the whole article you would have got answer to your question: Is ultra processed food bad for you? If you liked the article kindly share the same with your friends and family members and spread the word.
Disclaimer:
The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.
Dr. Susanna Ashton has been practicing medicine for over 20 years and she is very excited to assist Healthoriginaltips in providing understandable and accurate medical information. When not strolling on the beaches she loves to write about health and fitness.