According to the latest research, ultra-processed foods such as pizza, chips and cookies may be delicious but could lead to brain deterioration.
Ultra-processed foods associated with obesity and heart disease
Added harmful components, including sugar, sodium, fats, colouring agents, and preservatives, are abundant in ultra-processed meals. Examples include pre-packaged cakes, cookies, old cuts, hot dogs, frozen foods, soft drinks, fast food, and snacks.
These foods are associated with a higher risk of obesity, heart disease and metabolic syndrome. Now, Brazilian researchers have linked them to a higher risk of brain ageing.
However, the study was unable to show cause and effect. Study leader Natalia Gomes Goncalves said the decline in brainpower could be due to micro-vascular lesions, systemic inflammation, and reduced brain volume due to the intake of ultra-processed foods. She added that dietary choices could help maintain brain function, and it is never too late to make lifestyle changes.
Goncalves said middle age is a crucial period during which someone can adopt preventive measures across lifestyle changes considering choices made at this age will influence some in older years. However, this doesn’t mean that older adults won’t see results if they change their lifestyles. Goncalves added that the research has demonstrated that healthier choices can benefit people at any age.
Consuming calories from Ultra-processed foods leads to cognitive decline
Those that consumed over 20% of their caloric intake from ultra-processed food experienced a 28% faster cognitive decline and a 25% quick drop in executive function across an average follow-up of 8 years. There was a stronger association for adults between 35 and 59 relative to those above 59 years.
Goncalves said that the capability to plan and carry out global cognition and executive function goals sum all cognitive aspects assessed, including memory, executive function, and verbal fluency. As a result, researchers established that the loss of cognitive function could affect how people perform their duties.
Although eating ultra-processed foods results in obesity, Goncalves explained that the foods were responsible for brainpower decline and not weight gain.
