- Ultra-processed foods are common in the United States, with an estimated 73% of the U.S. food supply being ultra-processed.
- Almost all foods are processed for preservation, but ultra-processed “ready-to-eat” foods are nutritionally poor and can lead to overconsumption.
- Previous research has linked the consumption of ultra-processed foods with a range of adverse health effects.
- A new study shows that people who consume more ultra-processed foods are at higher risk of cognitive decline.
Consumption of ultra-processed foods
One study using machine learning estimates that over 73% of the U.S. food supply is ultra-processed. The results of this study, which have yet to be evaluated through peer review by experts, are consistent with other evidence that ultra-processed food consumption is very common in the United States.
In addition
As such, there is a growing body of research showing that eating too many ultra-processed foods is dangerous to human health. Now, new research shows more evidence that ultra-processed foods negatively impact cognitive health.
Lead study author Natalia Gómez Gonçalves, PhD, São Paulo University School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil, said: medical news today:
“Our results and these two other studies provide evidence that ultra-processed food consumption is associated with cognitive decline, cognitive decline, and dementia in a diverse sample of .”
This research recently
Many foods are processed for flavor, texture and freshness, so not all processed foods are created equal.
However, ultra-processed foods are usually ready to eat and drink, but contain little or no nutritional value.
The NOVA Food Classification System classifies foods based on the amount of processing used to preserve, extract, modify or create them. The system describes his four groups as follows:
- Minimal processed foods: Unprocessed or minimally processed foods such as seeds, fruit, eggs, and milk.
- Processed ingredients: These include salt, sugar, honey, and oil. Foods of this group are processed by pressing, crushing or grinding.
- processed food: From bread to cheese to canned foods, processed foods are made by simply adding sugar, oil, or salt to foods. The process includes cooking and fermentation.
- Ultra-processed food and beverage products: These are industrial formulations containing ingredients such as stabilizers and preservatives, including foods such as chocolate, candy, ice cream, cookies, pastries, cakes, pizza, and fast food.
Cognitive decline is often the first noticeable sign of dementia.
cognitive decline
Consumption of ultra-processed foods
Current research provides more evidence linking consumption of ultra-processed foods with an increased risk of cognitive decline.
A multicenter prospective study included three different time periods from 2008 to 2017. Overall, his 10,755 participants aged 35 to 74 were included. His 5880 of the participants were female and 53.1% were white.
At the beginning of the study, participants completed a food frequency questionnaire. At set time points throughout the study, they completed cognitive tests that analyzed word recall, recognition, and fluency.
Follow-up data after an average of 8 years showed that people with the highest ultra-processed food intake experienced 28% faster cognitive decline and decreased executive function than those with the lowest ultra-processed food intake. It was shown to be 25% faster.・Intake of processed foods.
Dr. Gonçalves explained the findings as follows: MNT:
“At this time, we do not know whether ultra-processed food consumption is associated with accelerated decline in people who are already cognitively impaired. We support the role that healthy dietary choices play in delaying it.”
large population base
Dr. Gonçalves agreed that proper diet and nutrition can help protect cognitive health.
“The MIND diet is associated with increased cognitive performance and reduced risk of cognitive decline. […] Healthy foods included in the MIND diet are whole grains, green leafy vegetables, other vegetables, nuts, beans, berries, poultry, fish, and olive oil. “
The most exciting part of her research is showing people that they can choose what they eat to maintain healthy cognition.
“Dietary choices are a powerful way to maintain healthy brain function. In addition, middle age is an important time to take preventative measures through lifestyle changes, as the choices we make at this age will affect us in old age.”
– Dr. Natalia Gomes Gonçalves, lead author of the study
Occasional servings of processed foods are unlikely to do any harm, but ultra-processed foods should be limited as much as possible.
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Dr. Scott Kaiser, a geriatrician and director of geriatric cognitive health at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, said he was not involved in the study. explained. MNT In clinical practice, health care professionals encourage a healthy diet to manage cognitive health.
“In our practice, we have encouraged patients to avoid highly processed foods and helped them adopt and maintain a healthier diet,” said Dr. Kaiser.
“This guidance supports the well-established link between ultra-processed food consumption and increased risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and obesity, as clear evidence for a direct effect on cognition is limited. It’s based on relevance.”
Kaiser added that about 40% of all dementia cases “could theoretically be prevented or significantly delayed” if the risk of comorbidities involving diet and lifestyle factors were eliminated. . These conditions are:
“This study makes an important contribution to the growing body of evidence supporting the adverse effects of ultra-processed foods on cognition and brain health, including studies conducted in large, ethnically diverse cohorts. , including the fact that it had a follow-up of about 10 years.As more evidence is needed to support strategies for preventing dementia, this study is a useful tool for cognition in middle-aged people. It’s also important to assess the effects of diet.”
– Dr. Scott Kaiser, Geriatrician
Focus on nutritious whole foods
The Heart and Stroke Foundation suggests cooking more at home to reduce ultra-processed foods.
When shopping for groceries, a practical way to identify an ultra-processed food is to check its ingredient list.
Substances never or rarely used in the kitchen (high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, interesterified oils, or hydrolyzed proteins) or classes of additives designed to make the final product more appealing (i.e. flavor, enhancer, color or sweetener)?
As a rule of thumb, use real, whole foods that have undergone the least amount of processing possible.
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